WILLIAMS RACING AND SIA – A LASTING LEGACY

Connecting with organisations which can benefit spinal cord injured people is integral to our work at SIA. And when it comes to relationships, there are few as meaningful as the one we share with Williams Racing

s the official charity of one of history’s most successful Formula 1 teams, SIA and our members continue to benefit from our unique relationship with Williams Racing.

The significant platform Williams provides has given SIA an incredible opportunity to share stories and raise awareness about spinal cord injury (SCI) over the years.

From numerous events and sponsorship opportunities which have helped generate more than £150,000 towards the services we provide, or from return-to-work opportunities offered, our friends at Williams Racing have helped position SIA as one of the UK’s leading spinal cord injury charities – and in ensured we continue providing essential services to SCI people and their families.

Our association began after Williams founder and team principal, the late Sir Frank Williams, was paralysed following a car accident in 1986. He and his family, including daughter Claire Williams who would go on to become deputy team principal, benefited first-hand from SIA’s support after his life-changing injury.

As part of Sir Frank’s legacy to the SCI community thereafter, Williams Racing announced SIA as their official charity partner in 2015. Claire was appointed SIA’s vice-president in 2016, becoming a true ambassador for our cause alongside her father. As one of the sport’s most recognised and respected people, Sir Frank nurtured a relationship with SIA based on mutual respect and understanding, becoming a passionate advocate and using his influence to highlight the challenges faced by SCI people and calling for better treatment and support.

Sadly, Sir Frank passed away in 2021, but his legacy to the SCI community remains secure in the committed hands of all at Williams Racing, as the team continues helping raise the profile of SIA – and the voices of SCI people.

All proceeds raised through Williams Racing charitable initiatives are gratefully received by SIA and have involved everything from employee cake sales to providing ‘money can’t buy’ experiences for SIA-hosted charitable auctions. The partnership also provides SIA with access to the Williams Racing facility for various fundraising activities, with each event designed with accessibility in mind.

Meanwhile, the Williams team is dedicated to providing the best possible experience for all its fans. Ramps and lifts provide wheelchair access to all areas of their HQ, there are designated accessible parking spaces and restrooms equipped with wheelchair-accessible stalls. Staff members trained to assist wheelchair users are also on hand to help.

Williams Racing HR Director Nicola Salter said: “Williams Racing continues to ensure our facilities and, most importantly, our team is accessible to all fans from all backgrounds, regardless of their physical abilities. We follow in the path of our founder, Sir Frank Williams, to ensure everything we do as a team is accessible for anyone. As we develop and grow, we continue to look at our infrastructure and consider how we can make it accessible for all – ensuring we continue to attract the best talent.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please visit: williamsf1.com or scan the QR code

Returning to work for the first time can be one of the greatest challenges facing those with SCI. Over the years Williams has offered invaluable work experiences to our members, helping those with injuries regain their confidence as they take the next step towards rehabilitation.

Here one of our support coordinators, Jack Mannings, shares his experience of working at Williams Racing.

“I sustained a C5 spinal cord injury in a road traffic accident in 2015 when I was 20. Paralysed from the chest down, with limited arm movement and no hand function, finishing university, let alone finding a fulfilling career seemed impossible.

"I’d planned to join the army but needed to re-think. Although I defied the experts and graduated from university, it highlighted the limitations I’d have to overcome if I were ever employed full-time.

"I was given an incredible opportunity when offered an internship at Williams Racing. At first, I was apprehensive but soon learned I needn’t have been.

"Accessibility at their Oxfordshire HQ felt so integrated you almost don’t notice it – rare in a world where accessibility is often a tacked-on, seemingly inconvenient afterthought. If the buildings were reassuring, the people were even better.

"The whole team was so welcoming that I never felt out of place. Too often, when people meet someone with a disability, they are far too worried about offending the person – it can feel like they’re walking on eggshells. At Williams, this never felt the case. Williams's people are its strength, starting with the late Sir Frank. Every day he would greet everyone as they passed by, even an intern like me. I learned so much from him during the time I was there.

"One of Williams’ lawyers, Matt King, who secured his job with SIA’s help, will forever inspire me. Sadly Matt passed away in 2021. He had a high cervical injury but never let that stop him. He showed me the only real limitations we faced were the ones we set ourselves.”