Damon Hill OBE pays tribute to NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd

Former Formula One World champion Damon Hill OBE has paid tribute to ignition specialist NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd and one of its staff for raising funds for charity.

The 55-year-old British motor racing legend is patron of the Down’s Syndrome Association and praised NGK and Stuart Bayne for helping raise more than £17,000 for the charity.
Stuart, who is Sales Manager – North for NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, last year completed an 1100-kilometre sponsored cycle ride through Europe to raise £17,066.98 for the charity.

Starting from NGK’s Hemel Hempstead headquarters he rode through five countries in just nine days to reach the company’s spark plug factory at Meung Sur Loire in southern France, visiting NGK’s European headquarters at Ratingen near Dusseldorf, Germany.

Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 World champion and double BBC Sports Personality of the Year, said: “It is fantastic what Stuart has done for the Down’s Syndrome Association as the charity relies solely on donations. Thank you to everyone at NGK for your efforts and your initiative.

“Anytime someone undertakes such an endeavor it shows how much people are prepared to help. I am slightly envious of Stuart’s achievement as I have taken part in a couple of charity cycle rides and know how much fun and camaraderie they engender.”

He revealed that he had a long-standing knowledge of NGK’s reputation in the field of motorsport where its parts have sparked two and four-wheel teams, riders and drivers to numerous world championships.

He said: “I used to race motorcycles before moving into cars and so like everyone else involved in the sport was only too well aware of the name NGK and used their spark plugs when I raced Honda-powered bikes.”

Down’s Syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21 in the body’s cells which occurs by chance at conception.

The Down’s Syndrome Association is the only organisation in this country focusing solely on all aspects of living successfully with Down’s Syndrome and aims to help people live full and rewarding lives.

Stuart’s fund-raising journey last year was designed to help mark the 40th anniversary of ignition specialist NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd which was incorporated as a UK subsidiary company of Japan in 1975.

The 52-year-old father-of-three from Haverhill, Suffolk, was supported in his quest by friend and customer Stuart Larder, of Sutton on Sea, who works for M. E. Autoparts, which has branches in Louth and Grimsby, Lincolnshire, who accompanied him and drove the support vehicle.

Stuart said: “It was really hard work, not just physically, but mentally, as each day I had to force myself to get up and get on the bike.

“It was a marathon endurance test, but worth it. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me, particularly NGK and Stuart Larder who I couldn’t have done it without. I would also like to thank Damon Hill for agreeing to be presented with the cheque.”

NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd – the leading supplier of original equipment (OE) spark plugs, glow plugs and NTK Lambda and other engine management sensors – was main sponsor and a number of NGK customers, colleagues and friends also pledged funds.

These included a €5000 donation by NGK Europe and a variety of fund-raising activities including £2750 raised on the NGK Pavilion at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed when visitors donated cash in exchange for NGK merchandise.

Marko Wowczyna, Automotive Director, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “We were delighted to support Stuart’s fund-raising trip for such a worthwhile cause and are extremely grateful to Damon Hill for taking the time to visit our headquarters to accept the donation on behalf of the Down’s Syndrome Association.”

This may not be the end of Stuart Bayne’s fund-raising exploits. He said: “I have got a few ideas on undertaking another fund-raising event which I want to be even more successful than this one. Just watch this space.”

For more information on NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd and its products and services, please visit the website www.ngkntk.co.uk Also you can check out its new blogzine at ngktorque.com