On Friday 6th February, Salone Events hosted a very special event in collaboration with Birch, with Accelerate Members and Birch invitees only.

The evening was all in support of halow, a charity that Damon Hill founded 20 years ago alongside 4 other parents that have children with learning disabilities. Over £34,100 was raised on the night, which saw incredible generosity from all guests.

The fundraiser brought together an exceptional group of people, cars and experiences, united by a shared commitment to doing meaningful good.

The evening featured a Q&A led by Jethro Bovingdon, with Tom Chilton and Damon Hill being interviewed and sharing some amazing stories. We were also treated to a surprise appearance from Nicolas Hamilton.

Motorsport Figures in Attendance

The evening was significant not only for its charitable purpose, but also for the presence of respected figures from the world of motorsport. Damon Hill – a founder of halow – inspired and informed the guests and was reunited with a Jordan 198 – the same model with which he won the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix.

Also present was Nicolas Hamilton, whose career and advocacy continue to inspire many within and beyond motorsport. His presence reinforced the evening’s broader themes of inclusion, opportunity and resilience — principles closely aligned with Halow’s mission.

Hamilton’s story was a true inspiration to all present; he stayed till the end of the event then drove the two hours back home on a wet Friday night.

“It was a great night to be present with Damon and Tom and for Tom to ask me up on stage,” said Hamilton. “And it was really notable to see so much money raised for a worthy cause.”

Birch Commercial Director Tom Chilton also took part in discussions during the evening, reflecting Birch’s close ties to motorsport and its role as a partner to drivers, teams and automotive heritage alike.

A Rare Glimpse Inside the Birch Vault

For many guests, the evening offered a rare opportunity: a peek inside the Birch Vault itself. Normally closed to all but staff, the vault was briefly opened to allow attendees to see first-hand how Birch applies museum-grade standards of security, care and presentation to automotive assets.

The experience reinforced Birch’s founding ethos — that cars of significance should be treated with the same respect as fine art — and allowed guests to understand how meticulous custody protects value, provenance and condition over the long term.

A Lotus Icon with Motorsport History

Within the Birch Vault for the evening was a special guest thanks to Classic Team Lotus, which supplied a Lotus 49 to support the event.

The Lotus 49 is one of the most important racing cars ever built: the first Formula One car designed around the Cosworth DFV engine, a combination that reshaped Grand Prix racing and dominated an era. And the link to the evening was the car was one driven by Graham Hill to victory in the 1968 Monaco Grand Prix.

A Carefully Curated Charity Auction

At the heart of the fundraiser was a live charity auction featuring a selection of premium experiences and automotive-related offerings, all donated without cost to the charity. The auction catalogue reflected the breadth of support for the cause, with contributions spanning motorsport, luxury travel, sport and the arts. Motorsport commentator Scott Woodwiss was on auctioneer duties.

Auction lots included:

• A Private Champagne River Cruise on the Thames at Henley donated by Superstars
• Isle of Man TT 2026 access with Melbray Laycock Racing, offering behind-the-scenes insight into one of motorsport’s most demanding events
• ‍WorldSBK VIP paddock tickets, providing unparalleled access to the Donington round of the championship with Pata Maxus Yamaha World SBK thanks to Ampito
• Liverpool FC hospitality at Anfield, thanks to Ampito‍
• 12 months vehicle storage at Birch Gatwick and 12 months at the forthcoming Birch Brooklands facility
• A two-day track experience at Circuito de Navarra, which was donated by ourselves

A standout piece within the auction was a bespoke motorsport artwork created by Road Race Rally, produced through more than 70 hours of detailed craftsmanship. The artwork captured the spirit of racing heritage and proved highly sought-after on the night.

About Salone Events

Founded in 2018 by Bernadette, Salone Events has been a fundamental aspect of halow's events calender.

When the pandemic reshaped the events industry, Bernadette embraced the opportunity to adapt the business with a new focus on outdoor sporting facilities.

Hiring the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit, we launched what was initially intended to be a corporate team building event, but swiftly morphed into a track day experience with attendees keen to bring their own vehicles.

The idea quickly grew into a vibrant community of motorsport enthusiasts.

For halow, this partnership, which started as an addition to the Damon Hill Karting Challenge, has grown into so much more.

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Images by Finlay Chissell.

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