A Lasting Legacy

The Richard Burns Foundaton works In his honour to help other victims of bran illness and Injury

The Richard Burns Foundation was created after Richard’s death to help those suffering from brain illness and injury, together with the people who care for them.

It was something that Burns was thinking about a lot before he died. “He used to say to me, ‘It’s OK for me because I’ve got the best possible treatment and people to look after me,— recalls former girlfriend Zoe Scoff (née Keen). “But what about the people who don’t have money and whose family still have to go to work every day? What do they do? I don’t know how they cope…—

The disease that claimed Burns was an Astrocytoma: a virulent type of brain tumour that people tend to succumb to in months. The fact that Richard survived for more than two years with it (he died four years to the day after he claimed his world title) is a testament to his strength and courage.

The foundation also supports charities that fund research into brain illness and injury, such as the Brain and Spine Foundation, which is presided over by Richard’s eminent neurosurgeon, Dr Peter Hamlyn.

The patrons and trustees of the Richard Burns Foundation include David Williams, Robert Reid and Zoe Scoff, as well as some of Richard’s fiercest rally rivals such as Marcus Grӧnholm and Markko Mӓrtin who was with Burns when he was taken ill in his Porsche while driving to the 2003 Rally GB on the M4, close to Cardiff.

The foundation is present at a number of high-profile motor sport events throughout the year, both at home and abroad. More than £40,000 was raised at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (above), and an annual charity auction held at the Catalunya Rally is always attended by the sport’s top stars. For more on the foundation and to donate visit: www.richardburnsfoundation.com