FORMULA 1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart has personally thanked a racing driver from Shipley for backing his new dementia charity.

Three times world champion Sir Jackie, 77, launched Race Against Dementia this summer after telling how his wife of nearly 54 years, Lady Helen, 75, had now lost her short term memory due to the condition.

They had met when he was a penniless mechanic and were the sport’s golden couple until his retirement in 1973.

And when racing car restoration expert Andy Harrison heard of his hero’s campaign he sent off for it’s distinctive “Broken D” lapel badge.

“My father Peter passed away aged 77 last year and he had suffered from dementia.

“It was terrible as people who suffer with it lose who they are and also lose their soul.

“When I read about how Sir Jackie said trying to find a cure was the toughest race of his life, I mentioned to my partner how I’d like a badge to support Race Against Dementia and she sent off for one.”

Mr Harrison, 51, runs both the Shipley MOT and repair centre in Briggate, Windhill and also ACESPEED which restores classic racing cars and is currently rebuilding Richard Longman’s famous 1979 Mini 1275cc GT.

“When I got the badge I thought there must be more I can do and as they’d asked for a donation I decided to ask for sponsorship for a race which I’m taking part in next month.

“I set up a JustGiving site and set a target of £500 and got a donation of 300 dollars almost immediately.

“So now I’ve increased the target to £5,000 and money is coming in very fast, which is fantastic.”

Sir Jackie was told about his initiative and sent him this email of support:

“I want to thank you very much indeed for all you are doing for Race Against Dementia.

“I am currently in Asia Pacific so it’s not practical to speak to you on the phone but I would be happy to provide the following statement:

“On behalf of the Trustees and all concerned at Race Against Dementia, thank you very much indeed for your support.

“Dementia is a huge issue for the 850,000 people in the UK currently living with dementia and of course their families and friends. The financial support that will be given by Andy ‘Ace’ Harrison means a great deal.

“On behalf of all those of those who are going to be helped by the target donation of £5,000, a very big thank you.”

Mr Harrison will be racing in what is known as the Silverstone Finals which take place on Saturday, October 15 and will be hurtling round the track in a classic Envoi Formula Junior car from 1960.

“It was the type of car everyone started racing in and what later turned into the Formula Ford class.

“And it’s a very important day for me too as October 15 is my dad’s birthday, so I will be especially thinking of him too.