British Formula One team Williams Racing have announced the launch of the Frank Williams Academy, which is an initiative by the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), the Official Charity of the team.
Williams will be supporting the Academy, which has been created in honour of the team’s founder, the late Sir Frank Williams. Williams and the SIA will work towards their common vision of providing help and support to everyone affected by spinal cord injury by building vital specialist expertise across the health and care sector.
Former Williams Team Principal and Frank Williams’ daughter, Claire Williams, has also announced that she will be working towards raising £1.5 million to launch and establish the Academy during its initial years. The money will be used to educate and train those affected by spinal cord injuries and healthcare professionals to ensure safe, appropriate care is provided.
Williams will also run the Frank Williams Academy logo on their cars during the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023.
Nik Harley, CEO, Spinal Injuries Association, said:
“The launch of the Frank Williams Academy is momentous, not only for SIA but for spinal cord injured people across the UK. Inspired by Sir Frank’s success and motivated by the challenges he faced, the vision is to completely transform the availability of specialist expertise in health and care so that anyone anywhere has the best chance of a fulfilled life after injury.
“Sir Frank was the living example of such a life. We’re so grateful to his daughter, our amazing Vice President, Claire Williams and to Williams Racing for backing this.“
Claire Williams, former Williams Team Principal, commented:
“My father lived the most extraordinary life, not least as one of the most successful Team Principals in the history of the sport and doing so from a wheelchair as a tetraplegic for the greater part of it. His tenacity in the face of this adversity was just one of the many things that made him such an inspiration to many while he was alive.
“Following his death, I wanted to do something to continue that legacy, and the Frank Williams Academy couldn’t be a more fitting tribute. The work that the Academy will do will provide potentially life changing care for spinal cord injured people, just as the SIA did for my dad. With that support, the bounds of possibility are endless.“
Matthew Savage, Chairman of the Board at Williams Racing, said:
“We’re delighted to support the launch of the Frank Williams Academy. To honour Sir Frank’s life by providing fundamental education, care and support to change the lives of people affected by spinal cord injuries is truly special. Everyone at Williams Racing is looking forward to helping the Academy flourish.“
Sir Frank Williams, who suffered a horrific car crash in 1986, spent the remainder of his life on a wheelchair as a tetraplegic, but that did not stop him from serving as the team’s Principal and also won nine Formula One World Championship Constructors’ Titles.
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