After successfully raising more than $64,000 to help battle malaria deaths in Africa in 2009, Patrón Highcroft Racing and Malaria No More will again join forces for a renewed assault on the disease in 2010.
Not only did the team raise valuable dollars to battle the preventable disease, it also raised awareness about malaria to American Le Mans Series fans.
That was one of two big wins for the Danbury, CT-based squad - the Highcroft team also was just as successful on-track, taking a championship victory.
While the race team has spent the off-season preparing for a new assault with the Honda Performance Developed factory-based ARX-01c prototye, the Miles to End Malaria campaign has also received a facelift in 2010.
Fans will be able to back the program as a member of the Miles to End Malaria 'Pledging Pit Crew' - selecting a one-off donation of $10, $20, $50, $100, $250 and $500 via the http://www.milestoendmalaria.org website.
Fans can also contribute up to $5,000 for the cause - putting them in the draw to win a one-in-a-lifetime VIP weekend with the team at an American Le Mans Series race.
For 2010, race fans can take part in the campaign via their cell phone by texting "MILES" to 85944 to make a one-time $10 donation.*
A simple $10 mosquito net is all it takes to protect children from malaria, a preventable and treatable disease that kills a child in Africa every 45 seconds.
Gifts from fans will help fund programs such as delivering life-saving mosquito nets to at-risk families in Africa and providing education and support for malaria prevention.
"The entire team was thrilled to be part of Miles to End Malaria last season and we are very excited about expanding the scheme in 2010," Highcroft Racing President, Duncan Dayton said.
"The support in the American Le Mans Series paddock last season for Miles to End Malaria was fantastic and we are looking to build on that this year.
"Our fans can already learn more about the team on their phones via the web, YouTube and Twitter - now they can join the battle to beat malaria on their phones as well."
The Malaria No More logo will again appear on the team's entry into the 2010 American Le Mans Series with David Brabham joined in the driver's seat by Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti.
Brabham is also an ambassador for Malaria No More UK - his annual celebrity karting event held each January at the Autosport Show in Birmingham, England benefiting Malaria No More.
"The Miles To End Malaria campaign was a roaring success last year thanks to the leadership of the Patron Highcroft Racing team," said Malaria No More CEO Scott Case. "By partnering with the team again and growing our relationships with their fans and the ALMS community, we'll be able to protect even more families in Africa this year."
The #1 Patrón Highcroft car will hit the track for the first race this weekend at the opening round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series - the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in Florida. The race will be broadcast live on SPEED TV this Saturday from 10:00am.
*A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Messaging & Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of the Malaria No More Fund by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.hmgf.org/t. You can unsubscribe at any time by replying STOP to short code 85944; Reply HELP to 85944 for help.
