British Racer in remission shows his colors

A 19-year-old British racing driver, backed by Eddie Jordan, has launched his 2007 campaign with an innovative sponsorship and fundraising plan, set to help thousands battling childhood cancer. Alex Waters is himself in remission after a battle with skin cancer in 2006 and, now that he is able to continue pursuing his own motor racing ambitions, he wants to give something back to those that helped him through his ordeal.

Facing the age-old racer dilemma of raising sponsorship to continue his career, talented Alex has devised a plan that he hopes will not only help to propel him through the motor racing ranks, but will also raise much-needed funds for the charity CLIC Sargent. He has already gained support from Eddie Jordan, who has been involved with CLIC as a patron for many years, and is backing Alex for success.

CLIC Sargent is the UK's leading children's cancer charity, and is the only organization to offer all round care and support to the ten families who find out each day in this country that their child has cancer. CLIC provides specialist medical and holistic care during treatment, both in hospital and at home, and also provides after- treatment care, both helping survivors and supporting those bereaved.

So, to the plan… for every pound that Alex secures in sponsorship, he will donate 50p to CLIC Sargent. It's that simple, but has the potential to make a big impact to a charity extremely close to Alex's heart. As well as this, throughout the year, Alex will be taking part in fundraising events away from the race track, and has already signed up for the Bath Half-Marathon and the Silverstone Half-Marathon.

Alex will race for the Promatecme team in this year's British F3 championship, the series that launched the careers of the likes of Ayrton Senna, Damon Hill, Nelson Piquet, James Hunt and Emerson Fittipaldi. His racing car will be branded in full CLIC Sargent livery throughout the year, to help raise awareness of the charity, and the media will get the first chance to see this car at the official F3 media day on Thursday 15 March at the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire.

Quotes

Alex Waters: "I'm one of the lucky ones. With the help of organizations like CLIC Sargent, I've beaten cancer. Well, I think I have. I'm still having regular check-ups, but it looks like I'm in the clear. Now, against all the odds, I can try to live my dream – which is to be a racing driver. But I know there are lots of youngsters out there who are less fortunate than I am: young men and women, boys and girls, who are fighting cancer, some of whom are in incredibly difficult circumstances physically and mentally. Without charities like CLIC Sargent, many of these youngsters will fail. Some, inevitably, will die. That's why I'm going to work my nuts off to raise money for CLIC Sargent – so that other young people who are battling cancer can have a chance to live their dreams, as I am. It's the least I can do. I'm every bit as focused on helping CLIC Sargent as I am on reaching Formula 1. Which is why, for every pound I raise in sponsorship for my 2007 F3 campaign, I'll give 50p to CLIC Sargent."

Eddie Jordan, Patron of CLIC Sargent: "Alex is a super lad and a promising driver, with a lot of potential. But, besides that, I'm particularly delighted to be able to help a young driver who's raising money for CLIC Sargent, because I'm a patron of that charity. There's no better cause than helping kids with cancer, is there? And Alex is doing just that: combining his F3 career with raising money for CLIC Sargent. I applaud what he's doing, and I'll do my bit to help him."

Matt Bishop, Editor, F1 Racing: "Alex is talented, polite, intelligent, determined and ambitious, and he's overcome enormous obstacles to get to where he is now. His story is an inspiration to us all – a true role model for those battling against the odds. Truly, he deserves to succeed."

Dr Carole Easton, Chief Executive, CLIC Sargent: "Alex has shown great support and enthusiasm for CLIC Sargent. We're delighted he is committed to supporting the charity whilst continuing his exciting career in Formula 3 racing. I would like to wish him every success in both his career and fundraising, which will help us deliver more services to more children and young people with cancer or leukemia, and their families."

Alex Waters Biography
Date of Birth: 3 April 1987
Lives: Bath, UK
Interests: Motorsport, gymnastics, fitness training, flying, skiing and watersports

2007: British F3 Championship with Promatecme
2006: British F3 National Class – 4 podiums in 8 races (part-season competed)
2005: BRDC National Formula Ford Championship – 4th overall Debut test in National Formula Ford 1800 Zetec Championship event – 2nd quickest on Silverstone GP circuit
BRDC Formula Ford scholarship – 2nd overall
2004: Debut Formula BMW test in Valencia in August – fastest overall
BRDC National Formula Ford Championship – Rookie Champion
Silverstone Racing School course graduate – beating Sheikh Al Maktoum to 1st place in the final
Renault Michelin Clio scholarship – finished in the top 20 out of 650 entrants
Silverstone Racing School Scholarship finalist – finished 7th out of 98 entrants
2003: British Super One Formula Rotax 125 Max National Class with Strawberry Racing