Formula One fans and memorabilia collectors are being urged to make a date in their diary to attend a charity auction at an award-winning restaurant and bar on the Mid Wales coast on October 29
Chris and Emma Statham and Sion Wellings from Nineteen.57 Restaurant and Bar based at Islawrffordd Caravan Park, Talybont, near Barmouth, have been totally overwhelmed by the generosity of current and past F1 and world rally stars who have donated items to the auction.
All proceeds from the auction will go to Race Against Dementia (RAD), which funds early-career researchers to accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia. Former F1 world champion and ambassador Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE, founded RAD after his wife Helen’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.
Sir Jackie has sent a video introduction to RAD, which will be played before the auction and has donated a signed autobiography. He and fellow British former F1 champion Nigel Mansell will also each be sending a personal video message of support to the auction.
Driving gloves worn in the recent Singapore Grand Prix, a programme from this year’s Australia Grand Prix signed by Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri and a T-shirt signed by Sergio Pérez are included in the 31 auction lots.
They will sit alongside a collection of 11 lots donated by Mansell whose family has a lifetime connection with Islawrffordd Caravan Park.
The collection includes a signed Ferrari demonstration steering wheel, a diecast car with late F1 champion Ayrton Senna sat on the side, titled Senna Taxi and signed photos, prints and autobiographies.
Other lots relating to Senna and another former F1 champion, Michael Schumacher make it an auction not to be missed.
World rally star Elfyn Evans, who lives at Dinas Mawddwy, is adding his support by donating a signed pair of driving gloves and sending a video. Donations are still pouring in.
With more than 55 million people affected by dementia globally and someone diagnosed every three seconds, RAD is taking immediate action to drive significant breakthroughs and develop leaders in the field.
For the charity event, Nineteen.57 Restaurant will be serving up a five-course fine dining menu to 36 people – all the tickets were snapped up with 35 minutes – from 5.30pm.
From 3pm to 6pm, potential grand prix stars can test their driving skills in an F1 simulator which will time them on two laps for Silverstone and put their name on the leaderboard for £5.
The bar will be open free of charge to anybody who wishes to attend, bid in the auction, try the F1 simulator and watch the Mexican Grand Prix on a large screen
Chris explained that the idea of the themed charity auction came from a visitor to the park who works on global coverage of F1 racing. Many of the auction lots have come from his personal collection of F1 memorabilia.
Due to the rarity and value of some donated lots, they will be given reserve prices. Any that don’t reach their reserve will be given to Superstars, silent, fundraising and charity auction specialists, to sell with the proceeds going to RAD.
“We have wanted to do this five course fine dining event and charity auction for a couple of years, but never imagined that it would generate so much support,” added Chris. “It has been overwhelming and donations are still being received.
“We would like as many people as possible to come to the auction and bid for the incredible lots which will support a great charity. We will also accept private bids on the lots by email.”
Nineteen.57 Restaurant has recently been named the best hidden gem restaurant in North Wales in the LUXlife Awards and was highly commended in the Welsh Restaurant Awards last year.
