The Pirelli International Rally is proud and privileged to announce that the Richard Burns Foundation will be the events chosen charity for 2012 and the organisers will be working to give this most worthy cause their full support and backing.

When the late Richard Burns took victory on the 1993 Pirelli International Rally, it was the start of a hugely successful season which saw the young Reading driver finish first on three other rounds, the Vauxhall Sport, Scottish and Manx rallies, on his way to taking the British Rally Championship title. That season launched Richard onto the World Championship scene and when he became the World Champion in 2001, it seemed that a glittering career lay ahead. Sadly, it was not to be, a cruel stroke of luck seeing Richard's life cut short by a brain tumour and he passed away in November 2005 aged just 34 years old.

The passion and commitment which Richard showed behind the wheel and the fearless and determined way in which he battled his illness impressed a great many people and in his memory, The Richard Burns Foundation was created to help the Brain and Spine Foundation to create a nationwide network of brain centres in the UK. Inspired by the leadership of Richard's surgeon, Peter J Hamlyn, Richard's trust will help to address the startling lack of neurological provision in the UK. It is the ambition of the Richard Burns Foundation to fund the first Brain Centre, where members of the public can access walk in support and advice from specialist neurological nurses who will provide help and advice on a number of conditions from MS to strokes.

The Richard Burns Foundation will have a high profile presence at the Pirelli International Rally's start in Carlisle City Centre and also at the "Rally Village" which will be located at Carlisle Racecourse. The organisers are hoping to come up with some innovative fund raising ideas to raise funds for this very worthwhile cause and are proud to help keep alive the memory of one of Britain's really great rally drivers by supporting the work of the foundation.

Web site www.richardburnsfoundation.com