Liam Lawson’s charity car auction will fund hundreds of counselling sessions for over 100 teens, with the proceeds from his customised Subaru Forester going to the I AM HOPE Foundation.
The week-long auction on TradeMe for the Formula 1 star’s first New Zealand-registered car attracted over 100,000 views with competitive bidding in the final hour of bidding down a two-horse race and closing at $35,300.
The final bidder, Waikato-based Murray Wells, is a self-confessed Subaru enthusiast since 1986, who has owned over a dozen different models and even had five cars in the family at one time.
“That’s dwindled away now, and my daughter now has my last Subaru. I started off with a Subaru Leone 1800 wagon, a series of Legacys, a WRX which got stolen, a newer Forester than Liam’s customised one, and a series of Outbacks,” recalled Wells.
“So now I’m back in the Subaru fold.”
“This will just be a pet car, I’ve got more money than sense, and I saw this and thought, stuff it, I’ll buy it!”
Wells says he’s likely to only do a few thousand kilometres a year in his new purchase.
“And who knows what’s going to happen with Liam’s career? He might go from strength to strength. He’s a very talented driver, and the money is going to a good cause,” he added.
Lawson is delighted that his customised car project raised more than he’d expected.
“I’m very grateful to Murray and all the bidders who chose to push the final bid much higher than my expectation. I’m happy it’s gone to a genuine Subaru fan, and I appreciate his support is going to help so many young people,” said Lawson.
“Honestly, I loved building this car, and although I won’t get to drive it again, I know Murray will have a grin when he gets behind the wheel.”
Lawson and friend Matt Stevens spent over a year transforming the standard Forester into the charity auction vehicle.
The auction closed to coincide with I AM HOPE’s annual Gumboot Friday charity, and founder Mike King says $35,300 for a 2000 Subaru Forester says it all.
“This is the community at work. A legacy car turned into real help. 230-plus counselling sessions, roughly a hundred young Kiwis getting proper support – think twenty carloads of our rangatahi being heard,” he said.
“Huge gratitude to Liam and Matt, the suppliers, every bidder and everyone who shared the listing. From our team and the families we serve – thank you.”
Wells and Lawson hope to meet up when the F1 star is back in the country for a brief visit during the F1 off-season.
Header Image: Supplied
