Paddy Hopkirk donates artwork to High Wycombe charity (From Bucks Free Press)

Paddy Hopkirk donates artwork to High Wycombe charity

4:00pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in News By Simon Farr

MOTORRACING great Paddy Hopkirk presented a High Wycombe charity with signed artwork which will be auctioned to raise money.

Mr Hopkirk, who won multiple championships in a Mini Cooper, and policeman-turned-artist Fran Richley handed over the paintings of the driver with navigator Ron Crellin to the Skidz Motor Project on Monday.

The pieces will be sold off to raise funds for the charity, which offers support and gives training to youngsters to help them find employment.

Mr Hopkirk, a Bucks resident and patron of Skidz, said: "It was nice to meet Fran and see his wonderful paintings.

"Skidz is a wonderful charity, helping to train the next generation of technicians, which the UK’s booming motor manufacturing industry so desperately needs."

Mr Richley, who worked on Thames Valley Police’s traffic department before switching careers to paint, is now working closely with Skidz.

Emma Louise Singh from the project said: "SKIDZ supports a wide range of young people who are struggling in mainstream education. "Our courses help create pathways into employment, further education or training for those who would otherwise be left out and left behind in life. "We are extremely grateful for Paddy and Fran's support, which we hope can help us raise much needed funds that will enable young people in Buckinghamshire to reach their full potential in life."