Huddersfield based teenager Daniel Lloyd is looking to put Kirkwood Hospice in pole position after pledging to donate a proportion of any winnings he collects during the 2010 season.
The 2009 Elf Renault Clio Cup Winter Series Champion is currently racing in the BF Goodrich/Skip Barber National Championship presented by Mazda, his first season in open wheel racing having spent his first two years in tin top race cars.
After the first four races of the season, eighteen year old Lloyd is currently joint eighth in the driver standings, and has adapted to single seaters with ease and has shown huge potential in the opening two rounds.
Ahead of round three of the season at Virginia International Raceway, the Yorkshire man will have the added incentive of trying to secure the best possible results to benefit the hospice.
Speaking about the announcement, Lloyd said: “Kirkwood Hospice does an unbelievable job in my local area for people suffering from awful illnesses and I feel it's important to do my bit to help boost awareness of the work the hospice does and to also try and raise as much money as I can through my racing, None of us know when we, or our family and friends, might need the help and support of a hospice – the service Kirkwood provides is absolutely essential.”
The Hospice, based in Huddersfield provides vital and specialist care for people across the Kirklees area who are living with life threatening illnesses such as cancer, late-stage heart failure, and severe lung disease. Kirkwood aim to provide patients with the very best quality of life as they respect the wishes and needs of each patient.
Alongside the treatments for any physical symptoms, the hospice also offers emotional support and spiritual support. Family, friends and carers are offered further assistance and additional help during the period of a patient's illness and in bereavement.
During 2010, the registered charity needs to raise around three and a half million pounds from voluntary sources to help achieve the four million pounds operational budget required – twenty percent of the required amount is covered by the local Primary care Trusts. Thanks to local fundraising activities and the generous donors, Kirkwood is able to offer its services free of charge for the residents of Kirklees. For more information on the work of Kirkwood, please visit www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk
Jane Dutton, the events fundraiser for Kirkwood said about Lloyd announcing Kirkwood as his chosen charity: “We are delighted that Daniel has nominated Kirkwood Hospice as his chosen charity, it's great that this local young man, with so much sporting talent, has chosen to support his local charity. We are really looking forward to working with Daniel.”
Lloyd will next take to the track on the 24/25 April at the Virginia International Raceway.
Photo credit: BF Goodrich/Skip Barber National Championship presented by Mazda
