There may not have been the famous Wrooom event this winter but that doesn’t matter because there is ZOOM! The upside of the charity auction event to be held on 7 Feb from 18.30 in the ballroom of London’s InterContinental Park Lane takes a unique spin at sport celebrity charity events.
Nikon provided cameras and all the Formula 1 drivers as well as team principles took pics during the 2013 season. this pictures will be signed by the F1 celebrity and sold at auction by Coys to benefit the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH). This is equally terrific for us as Formula Money author and dear friend of F1B, Christian Sylt, along with Caroline Reid have organized the event. Here are some details:
Although there are many charity auctions in sport they all tend to follow a similar pattern. The items on offer are usually signed photos of the athletes or signed kit that they use. They often raise a great deal of money but despite carrying an autograph, the items tell the buyer little new about the sports star who signed them. Zoom was put in motion to rectify that by turning the tables and asking all the drivers and team principals in F1 to take photographs which would then be signed and put up for auction.
There has never before been an auction of signed photos taken by the stars of any sport and several things were crucial to making it happen. The first was gaining support from the world renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital which has had a long association with F1. It was chosen to receive the proceeds from the auction and it loved the unique concept behind Zoom. Next, Coys, the top motoring auction house agreed to handle the sale.
One of the most important steps in establishing Zoom was the final one and this was getting the support of F1’s chief executive Bernie Ecclestone who Christian has known for a decade. Bernie’s support has been invaluable and the participation of all the drivers and team principals soon followed. Such has been the level of interest in Zoom that former F1 drivers and champions, as well as commentators and designers, have also agreed to participate.
All the photographers have taken to the challenge with gusto. We never expected to get such a diverse group of photos showing both insider views from the track and personal pictures which have nothing to do with racing.
The first Zoom event took place in September 2012 and was a great success. All teams and drivers are taking part again for the second event and we have received a great range of photographs. In addition to these images, Nikon has also provided cameras which have been signed by some of the sport’s greatest world champions. It is the first time that cameras signed by F1 world champions have been auctioned and all proceeds will go to GOSHCC.
The F1 teams, team bosses and drivers have played a key part in making this happen and we sincerely thank them along with everyone else who has donated a photo. We would also like to thank Zoom’s partners: Nikon, Bahrain International Circuit, Coys, InterContinental Park Lane, Vision SP, Kingfisher and Sutton Images.
Special thanks need to go to Bernie and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
