Former F1 World champion Damon Hill has paid tribute to ignition specialist NGK Spark Plugs and one of its staff for raising funds for charity. The 55-year-old 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 in the UK for NGK Spark Plugs last year completed an 1100-kilometre sponsored cycle ride through Europe to raise £17,066.98. His route took him from NGK’s Hemel Hempstead headquarters through five countries in just nine days to reach the company’s spark plug factory at Meung Sur Loire in southern France.

Damon commented, “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.”

Damon 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.”

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. He was supported in his quest by friend and customer Stuart Larder, of M. E. Autoparts. Stuart said, “It was really hard work, 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.”

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.”