Gronholm appointed patron of the Richard Burns Foundation

Two-time world rally champion Marcus Gronholm has been appointed as patron of the Richard Burns Foundation, a charity set-up in honour of England’s 2001 world title-winner Richard Burns, who died of a brain tumour in November 2005 aged 34.

The Richard Burns Foundation aims to help people, particularly young people, by providing them with inspiration through Richard’s example and the means to face the future with confidence.

Gronholm - who won the world title immediately before and after Richard, in 2000 and 2002 - was Richard’s team-mate at Peugeot from 2002 to 2003. Richard famously described the Finn as "my toughest ever rival, both mentally and physically" - but away from the stages they enjoyed a good relationship.

Gronholm said: "It’s a huge privilege to be asked to become patron of the Richard Burns Foundation. I admired and respected Richard both as a sportsman and a person, and his strength through adversity was certainly an inspiration for me. I hope that the work of the Foundation will inspire other people as well, by highlighting Richard’s achievements in his life and his bravery towards the end of it. We are all very sad that Richard is gone, but also very excited and confident about the possibilities we have to help other people and honour his memory through the important work of the Richard Burns Foundation. I would like to ask as many people as possible to help and become involved."

Gronholm was announced as patron of the Richard Burns Foundation on the eve of the 2010 Rally Sweden, an event the 42-year-old has won five times. Gronholm retired from full-time rallying at the end of the 2007 season but is likely to make some selected guest appearances on events this year, during which he will carry Richard Burns Foundation branding on his car and overalls.

Among the trustees of the Richard Burns Foundation are his long-term girlfriend Zoe Scott and Prodrive’s technical director David Lapworth. Along with Richard’s co-driver Robert Reid they will be actively involved in fund-raising for the charity this year and the allocation of its resources through a series of special events, which will be announced in due course.

Reid, who is also the performance director of British motorsport’s governing body, the MSA, said: "Richard and I enjoyed some epic battles with Marcus, and I am sure that he remembers them just as well as I do. I can think of nobody better to become the patron of the Richard Burns Foundation, as he observed first hand Richard’s strength and determination. In fact, he was frequently on the receiving end of it! This year marks a new start for the Richard Burns Foundation, and, with the help of Marcus, I am confident that we will be able to raise the charity’s profile in order to really make a difference to people’s lives."

Marcus Gronholm Q&A

Why have you become a patron of the Richard Burns Foundation?

"I wanted to do something personally. Richard suffered so terribly with illness and it was such a shock when we heard of his condition. We did many years together with Richard in rallying, as rivals first and then as team-mates when he came to Peugeot. We had many good fights together and I want to make people remember him. Also the Richard Burns Foundation is raising money for some important things so it is good to help."

What will you do to help the Foundation this year?

"We start now in Sweden. I have on my car some stickers of the Richard Burns Foundation and some patches on my overalls to make people aware. There will be many events happening this year to raise funds and I hope to help with these."

How is the money going to be raised?

"We will look at World Rally Championship events and other events such as the Beaujolais Run in France and the Richard Burns Memorial Rally in England. It is important we make people realise this is an international charity. Richard was British but he was also a world champion and we want to remind people of that by raising awareness and funds internationally."

What difference can the Foundation make to people’s lives?

"It can help families with a family member who has cancer by raising money for them. We also want to help young people with brain tumours and brain injuries living in areas close to where the World Rally Championship visits."

Could you share a couple of memories you have of Richard with us?

"When we were in the rallies together I didn’t really like him because I was always fighting so hard to beat him and he beat me many times. We had some big fights, especially in Finland and New Zealand, where he was always very quick."