13/09/2009
NEWS STORY
Jarno Trulli hosted a charity auction in the town of Monza last night, raising 300,000 euros for his Abruzzo nel Cuore appeal.
The Toyota driver has spent the past six months raising funds to help the victims of April's earthquake in the Italian region of Abruzzo, his birthplace. Through the website abruzzonelcuore.net and a charity football game, he had already raised around 150,000 euros.
That fund was significantly increased last night when memorabilia from Jarno, Giancarlo Fisichella, Brawn, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Renault and Williams, as well as a unique Audemars Piguet watch, designed and donated especially for the occasion, was put up for auction in front of an exclusive VIP audience of around 100.
Among the lots was a Jarno racing helmet, which was sold for 40,000 euros to two of the most dedicated fans of the Toyota F1 team and its driver; a Japanese couple who regularly attend overseas events to lend their support.
The Abruzzo nel Cuore appeal now has a grand total of around 450,000 euros, which will be put towards reconstructing the affected areas and the use of this money will be personally overseen by Trulli.
A similar auction will be held over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, featuring items from Mark Webber, David Coulthard and Kazuki Nakajima.