Day of Champions raises staggering £200,000

Riders for Health, the official charity of MotoGP, have raised almost £200,000 at the Silverstone round of the series. Three and a half thousand fans packed into the day of Champions event to see the stars of MotoGP auction off some of the rarest prizes in the sport. The total amount raised on the day topped out at an incredible £193,802.

All of the stars of MotoGP made time to appear on stage and help auction unique pieces of MotoGP memorabilia. The Repsol Honda team mates Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa raised £8,800, while 2010 and 2012 world champion Jorge Lorenzo raised an incredible amount of money, including a unique signed helmet that added £2,100 to the total.

Valentino Rossi’s items were as popular as ever, with the nine-time world champion raising £10,975, including the chance to have a selfie taken on stage with the Italian star, which raised £1,700.

All the money raised at the Day of Champions auction will be matched by the UK government as part of Riders for Health’s new appeal. This means the auction raised £159,140 and will help Rides for Health use reliable motorcycles to transform access to health care for people in rural communities in Africa.

The much-needed funds come as the charity launches a new appeal in cooperation with the Department for International Aid and Development, with co-founder Randy Mamola speaking out about the valuable work they do.

“It is unacceptable that in the 21st century people who are sick can’t get the health care they need because health workers can’t reach them. Riders for Health are using the very thing that gives so many people so much joy, the motorcycle, to help health workers deliver lifesaving health care. That is why it is so important for everyone to support this appeal.”

To donate £10 or less simply text DFID14 followed by the amount you would like to donate to 70070. You can also donate online by visiting www.riders.org/donate