Felsted’s Gus drives major fundraising campaign

Felsted School Year 11 student Gustav Burton, from Kelvedon, will be racing in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship this year to raise money for UK registered and international charity the Sparkle Foundation.

Gus aims to raise £24,000 this season from corporate sponsorship advertising on his car, which will be used to feed, educate and provide medical care to 100 new children in Africa’s poorest country.

‘I have nothing but praise for young Gus’s enthusiasm to raise essential funds and awareness for Sparkle Malawi,’ comments Sarah Brook, former Felsted pupil and CEO & founder of the Sparkle Foundation. ‘Last year Gus raised over £20,000 which enabled us to go ahead and build new classrooms, toilets and an office at our day centre. It’s lovely that he can apply his sporting passion to create brighter futures for under-privileged children.’

Gus comments: ‘Every penny of sponsorship will be donated to the Sparkle Foundation, a day centre for vulnerable children in Malawi. We’ve even named the distinctive teal liveried No. 57 car The Sparkle Car.’

He added: ‘After leading the front-wheel drive Clio Cup Juniors last season and finishing fourth in the winter series of rear-wheel driven Ginetta Juniors, I am ready and excited for this season. The Ginetta cars are somewhat underpowered and a real handful, which tests a driver’s race craft to the limit.’

Each BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) weekend attracts about 40,000 spectators and 400,000 TV viewers which will give Sparkle Car and its sponsors lots of useful exposure.

If you wish to support Gus’ race pursuits, please watch ITV4 each Sunday of the BTCC calendar or follow @GusBurtonRacing. Car sponsorship packages are still available and start at £500 and donations are most welcome too. Please visit gusburtonracing.com for more information.