An auction run by Formula One memorabilia organisation F1 Authentics and racing team Oracle Red Bull Racing has raised £103,000 for spinal injury research charity Wings for Life.

At the auction bids were made for the chance to visit the Red Bull training facility in Milton Keynes and a race simulator signed by four-time world champion racer Max Verstappen.

According to organisers “autographed pieces from the Dutch legend are rare and hard to come by, making this edition of the Motion Simulator a true exclusive”.

Money raised will support the charity’s funding of clinical trials and research to tackle spinal cord injuries.

“We’ve partnered with Oracle Red Bull Racing for several years and have had the pleasure of working with Wings for Life on numerous occasions,” said Barry Gough, founder and chief executive of Memento Exclusives, the firm behind F1 Authentics.

“We are thrilled to have raised a significant sum for the charity; this is a phenomenal achievement and will help enormously in the amazing work they do.

“On top of this, the auction winner will be receiving a next-level piece of racing equipment, signed by Max himself."

Wings for Life UK chief executive Emma Hind added: “We are incredibly grateful to F1 Authentics and Oracle Red Bull Racing for their generous support. Raising £103,000 is a significant achievement and will make a huge contribution in spinal cord injury research.

“It has been a pleasure to work with them on this campaign, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this valuable fundraising partnership.”

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