A seven minute film, featuring the highlights of Richard Burns’ World Rally Championship career as well as the intimate details of his courageous fight against an aggressive form of brain cancer in the twilight of his life has been released.
Intended to give context to the ‘Paint It Orange’ campaign as motorsport remembers 10 years since Burns’ 2001 World title and ongoing work of the Richard Burns Foundation, as it endeavours to improve the circumstances of others facing neurological injury and illness.
“Naturally, we’d all rather remember Richard as an athlete and a fit and healthy young man,” said Zoe Scott, Burns’ former girlfriend and carer during his illness.
“But the brutal reality of his illness was that it had a devastating effect upon Richard – both mentally of course, and physically.
“Six years down the line, those that were close to Richard – his friends and family – have taken the brave decision that Richard’s suffering can be harnessed positively to show how damaging and debilitating brain cancer can be. Hopefully this will inspire the support that the Richard Burns Foundation needs as it tries to help others in Richard’s memory.”
The ‘Paint It Orange’ campaign, in which no less than 30 stars of international motorsport from Mark Webber to Sebastian Loeb have pledged their support, have been photographed in a commemorative orange t-shirt which remembers the 10th anniversary of Richard’s career triumph on the 2001 Rally GB to inspire members of the public to buy the shirt and, in the process, make a charitable contribution.
The ambition of the Richard Burns Foundation is to fund the first hospital-based Brain Centre, where members of public in the UK can access walk-in support and advice to provide guidance for the array of neurological conditions from MS, Motor Neurone Disease & Schizophrenia to Autism and stroke, to name but a few. The Richard Burns Foundation is committed to supporting the Brain & Spine Foundation to spread the Brain Centre project.
For more on the Richard Burns Foundation, including how you can get your hands on a ‘Paint it Orange’ t-shirt CLICK HERE.
Here is the video released today to remember Richard Burns
