Tiago Monteiro auctions helmet for charity

Tiago Monteiro hands over his helmet, auctioned off on the Porto Circuit for the initiative " A jump for Tiago Sousa"

Tiago Monteiro, the Portuguese driver with the Seat Sport WTCC team, and Tiago Sousa, a Tumbling (Gymnastics on trampolines) athlete took part in a ceremony held on the Porto Circuit (host to the World Touring Car Championship's contest last weekend) to present the Formula 1 helmet worn by Tiago Monteiro for the last two years.

The new owner of the trophy was the winner of an auction held online between April and June on the Caixa website. The entire proceeds from the auction will be donated to the rehabilitation clinic that has been caring for Tiago Sousa, who became quadriplegic in a training accident at the Lisbon Gymnastics Club.

Tiago Monteiro explained, "I am very sensitive to this type of cause. I totally support this type of benefit, and I am always willing to help contribute to the success of an operation like this one. In this particular case, Tiago and I created a very special friendship and that makes this project all the more important to my eyes."

The strength that Tiago Sousa has managed to pull from deep within himself was essential to his slow but progressive recovery. The Caixa Geral de Depositos is proud to be involved in this initiative and to have been able to provide the necessary tool for the auction itself, through the use of its site, www.caixafa.pt the first banking website in the world dedicated to fans of sports, the environment, and culture.

The auction was held between April 19 and June 30 and had a record level of participation. The Arai GP5 R Carbon helmet was custom designed and manufactured for Tiago Monteiro when he raced in Formula 1.

-credit: tiagomonteiro