Heartwarming gesture for childhood friend: Lindblad raises record amount at charity auction

Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad put up for auction the helmet he used at the Belgian Grand Prix, raising $81,650 for charity.

TodayPress TV reports, citing Motorsport, that the funds raised will support a fundraising campaign by Lindblad’s friend Will McIntyre to purchase an MRI scanner for Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Lindblad said he has known McIntyre for around 10 years. They have been friends since childhood, when they competed in karting races in the United Kingdom.

“What he has been through over the past year is incredible. He was racing at the age of 18, and then began a long process of hospital admissions, examinations, surgeries and chemotherapy. Eventually, he was diagnosed with a very rare condition — X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1.

“Despite everything, he is still the same Will: ambitious, always ready to make a joke and, for some reason, always thinking of other people first,” Lindblad said.

According to him, McIntyre is currently trying to raise $8.2 million to purchase an intraoperative MRI scanner that could significantly help patients undergoing brain surgery in Cambridge.

“We have known each other since childhood. That is why I hope everyone will support this initiative,” the driver added.

Namiq HUN