Today at Goodwood Revival, members of the motorsport community gathered to remember Rob Foote, who sadly lost his life at Brands Hatch in 2021, with Goodwood Marshals Club receiving a donation of £59,109.

A volunteer marshal and scrutineer across the south of England, Rob dedicated his time at Brands Hatch, Gurston Down and Goodwood. Motorsport relies on the dedication and commitment that Rob personified and following his passing, W Series driver Alice Powell established a fundraising page for Rob’s family and friends.

With more than 1,500 donations, the fund raised £59,109 and included messages of support from the global motorsport community. Rob sadly lost his wife Rosemary to cancer the year prior and with no children, Alice contacted Motorsport UK to liaise with Rob’s friends and family to ensure the fund was distributed appropriately.

Rob and Rosemary had friends from a remarkable range of interests and qualifications they pursued, a former Mayor, a serving Councillor, air pilot, coach driver, a scrutineer as well as a marshal. Based on their love of motorsport, Rob’s friends and family decided to donate the fund to his ‘home’ club – Goodwood Marshals Club.

The club will use the funds to replace their aging first-response rescue vehicle which will bear Rob and Rosemary’s name, along with the orange heart that has become synonymous with Rob’s passing and still to this day can be found on many racing cars.

The fund was presented to Goodwood Marshals Club today at Goodwood Revival’s prizegiving by close friend Brian Angus alongside The Duke of Richmond.

Brian Angus said, “My wife and I were close friends of Rob and Rosemary. I am just weeks younger than Rob and we served as Mayor and Mayoress of Epsom & Ewell ten years before they did. Rob would be touched and amazed at the hundreds of donations and messages of support from the fundraising initiative. We are grateful to Alice Powell for setting this up and the support of the community.

“A year on, we have given careful thought about who Rob might wish to receive the extraordinary £59,000 fund.  We are happy to pass this money on to Rob’s home team in the “Orange Army” the close-knit not-for-profit Goodwood Marshals Club.  They have made a very exciting proposal as to how they will invest this fund as a lasting memorial.”

David Richards CBE, Chair of Motorsport UK, said, “Motorsport is reliant on the dedication and commitment of its volunteers. Rob personified these two key values, and it was incredibly humbling to see the motorsport community come together and provide acts of generosity in his name.

“The donation of the funds raised for Goodwood Marshals Club is a fitting way to remember his contribution, ensuring his memory lives on in the sport he loved.”

The Duke of Richmond, Chairman of Goodwood, said, “We are honoured that Rob’s memory will continue to live on here at Goodwood. He was a much-loved member of the Goodwood Marshals Club, and the legacy that he and Rosemary built together will now have a permanent home within the motor-racing community they gave so much to.”

Ian Houghton, Director of Goodwood Marshals Club, said, “Rob’s death had a huge impact on me personally and all Club members. Rob was a fantastic guy to work with and an incredibly interesting person to talk to. Having the ability to create a new Rescue Unit in Rob’s memory is staggering and it will be fantastic to see it at many different motorsport events. It will provide a great opportunity for further crew to join our already thriving unit and be a fitting memorial to Rob & his wife Rosemary.

“Any surplus from the capital costs and sale of the existing unit will go to the Goodwood Education Trust which offers opportunities and experiences in the countryside to children with special needs and from deprived urban areas.”

Alice Powell, W Series driver and creator of the fundraising page, said, “Marshals are vital for us racing drivers to get out on circuit. They give us their time to allow us to participate in our sport and without them, there would be no track action at all.

“As soon as I heard about Rob’s passing, my first thought was to open a fundraising page for his family. It was extremely warming to see the motorsport community come together to donate and send their well wishes. I wish to thank every single person who donated to the page.

“After discussions with Motorsport UK and Rob’s friends and family, it felt right to pass the funds to his home club and to a club where Rob spent a lot of his time. I hope that this will be a lovely tribute to Rob and his wife Rosemary.”

Goodwood Marshals Club new first-response rescue vehicle is expected to be ready for use for the 2023 motorsport season.