Jenson Button signed racing helmet to help raise money for Alzheimer’s Society in tribute to Dan Wheldon

To coincide with the Silverstone Grand Prix this weekend, the family decided to auction the helmet, which was signed by a whole host of professional racing drivers during a memorial kart race held in Dan's honour last year.

Dan Wheldon passed away in October 2011, during an incident in the IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He was 33 years old.

In celebration of his life, the family and friends of Dan Wheldon, the double Indy 500 winner and IndyCar champion have donated an Arai racing helmet signed by Dan's racing friends to help raise money for the Wheldon family's chosen charity, Alzheimer's Society.

The auction for the signed helmet will close on Saturday 14 July, with all proceeds being donated to the charity. Potential bidders should visit the Ebay auction page.

Dan's brother, Ash Wheldon said:

'We miss Dan each day, but are so pleased and proud to be able to raise as much as we can for the Alzheimer's Society, a charity so close to Dan's heart and us as a family, in Dan's memory. We thank everyone so much for their support.'

Angus Nelson, Acting Director of Fundraising said:

'We're truly grateful to the Wheldon family for their kind donation and continued support of Alzheimer's Society. There are 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK, and this will increase to over a million in the next ten years. The money raised through the auction will support people to live well with dementia today and fund research to find a cure for tomorrow.'

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Notes to editors:

• The professional racing driver signatories on the helmet are: Adam Carroll; Anthony Davidson; Danny Watts; Dario Franchitti; David Coulthard; Duncan Tappy; James Hinchcliffe; Jenson Button; Johnny Herbert; Johnny Mowlem; Jonny Kane; Marc Hynes; Marino Franchitti; Martin Brundle; Mike Conway; Nic Minassain; Robert Wickens and Sam Bird
• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 800,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than ten years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them 
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
  
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk