Every so often, when one exists in a bubble – as most people invariably do – it is good to step back and soak up the wider world.
Should one cease to examine the minutiae for a moment, instead choosing to absorb the depth of our surroundings, it would be possible to lose oneself in the scale of beauty.
Sadly, horror too can prevail, rendering even the most supposedly significant details impotent. It is in these times that life’s truly important elements emerge.
Earlier this year, Formula 1 photographer Russell Batchelor lost his eight-year-old son, Ethan, to a very rare condition called Congenital Disorder of the Glycosylation, for which no known cure currently exists.
Following lengthy periods in intensive care with severe physical, visual and medical difficulties, Ethan passed away in April.
For a time, Ethan attended the Castleview School in Stirling, Scotland. Operated by the local authority, Castleview provides education for young children with a need for profound support and additional needs.
Last Friday, a fundraising appeal for the school in honour of Ethan was launched, aimed at raising money to provide his schoolmate’s at Castleview with much-needed equipment.
Culminating in a special auction carrying numerous items from drivers, teams and Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, the Ethan Batchelor Fundraising Appeal runs until next Sunday (September 18th) and the auction can be found at www.castleviewf1.com.
Items up for auction include:
*One-off photo (measuring 36 inches by 29 inches) featuring an image of each of the 2011 field, signed by every driver and Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone;
*Signed Sebastian Vettel fireproof vest (Red Bull Racing);
*Framed McLaren T-Shirt signed by Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton (McLaren);
*Signed Fernando Alonso overalls (Ferrari);
*Mercedes GP T-Shirt signed by Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg (Mercedes GP);
*Signed Nico Rosberg cap (Mercedes GP);
*Rear-wing endplate from Force India signed by Paul di Resta, Adrian Sutil and Nico Rosberg (Force India);
*Fireproof vest signed by Sebastian Buemi (Scuderia Toro Rosso);
*Racing boots signed by Jaime Alguersuari (Scuderia Toro Rosso);
*Williams’ car and picture book signed by Rubens Barrichello and Pastor Maldonado (Williams);
*Team Lotus wing mirror signed by Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen (Team Lotus);
*Gloves signed by Vitantonio Liuzzi (HRT);
*Racing boots signed by Narain Karthikeyan (HRT);
*Signed Dario Franchitti TW Steel watch and box;
*Signed Emerson Fittipaldi TW Steel watch and box.
Do have a good look around the items, for what is a very good cause.
