The Board of Down Syndrome International (DSi) is delighted to announce that former Formula One World Champion racing driver Damon Hill and his wife Georgie from the UK, have agreed to become Patrons of our organisation. DSi is fully aware of the fantastic work that Damon and Georgie have done on behalf of the UK Down’s Syndrome Association over the past 15 years and we look forward to developing a fruitful partnership with them for the benefit of people with Down syndrome worldwide in the years to come.
Damon Hill OBE, son of the late racing driver and Formula One World Champion Graham Hill, began his Formula One career in 1992 with the Williams team. During the mid 1990’s he was Michael Schumacher’s main rival for the Driver’s World Championship and won the title in 1996. Damon later raced with the Arrows and Jordan teams, successfully recording Jordan’s first ever race win in 1998, just 1 of a total of 22 victories in his career.
Damon retired from Formula One in 1999 and since then has been involved in many successful ventures in motor racing, business, television and media and his passion as an accomplished guitarist. In 2006 he became President of the British Racing Driver’s Club (BRDC), a position he still holds, and in December 2009 was widely commended for securing the future of the British Formula One Grand Prix at the Silverstone racing circuit on a long term contract.
Damon and Georgie are married with 4 children. Their son Oliver is 21 and has Down syndrome. Damon has represented DSA UK as a Patron for the last 15 years and Georgie has been a Trustee for a number of years. Together they have done much to help raise awareness of Down syndrome in the UK and internationally and have raised a substantial amount of funds for the organisation as DSA UK Chief Executive Carol Boys testifies “I am delighted that Damon and Georgie Hill have both agreed to become Patrons of DSi. They have worked tirelessly to raise the profile of Down syndrome in the UK since the birth of their son Oliver 21 years ago. Although he has now retired as a racing driver, Damon is still very much involved in Formula One which takes him to all the circuits around the World. He and Georgie will be fantastic international ambassadors for the cause”.
DSi would like to express our sincere thanks to Damon and Georgie for agreeing to join us in our mission to help improve the lives of people with Down syndrome worldwide and we very much look forward to working with them.
