Brendan Lines.     July 8, 2020 02:50pm

Formula 1 three time World Champion and legend Sir Jackie Stewart is no stranger to fighting for change, his charity Race Against Dementia has today launched two new dementia research Post-doctoral Fellowships in partnership with Dementia Australia.

Known as a force for change in Formula 1 safety during his time as driver, Stewart is now a leading voice and fundraiser in the area of dementia research.

“A key priority for Race Against Dementia is to form strong alliances with research centres of excellence globally and by establishing this fellowship we recognise Australia among this group and hope to attract the best and brightest researchers in this field,” he said.

The effects of dementia are very close to home for Stewart, his high school sweetheart and wife of 56 years Lady Helen Stewart, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2014.

Helen Stewart congratulates her husband Jackie on his 1968 Dutch Grand Prix victory at Zandvoort with a kiss, – Image Schlegelmilch & raceagainstdementia.com

Helen supported her husband all through his career as a Formula 1 driver, speaking to ABC’s RN Breakfast, Stewart said Helen worked as timekeeper and lap counter for him.

“She had a brain on her at that time that was quite extraordinary, she would take twenty six Grand Prix cars going around the circuit on one split second stop watch overtime and do a lap chart at the same time,” he said. 

Stewart spoke candidly about the challenges of his wife’s illness and how that relates to the gap in care and research in the area of dementia.

“Dementia is really a terrible burden on a family and not too many folk can afford what I’m putting into making sure Helen is cared for in the proper fashion,” he said.

“It costs more money to look after dementia patient than it does for the combined total of cancer and heart disease, for a dementia patient at home it’s considerable pressure on a family.”

Sir Jackie and Lady Stewart attending the 2009 Italian Grand Prix – Image: raceagainstdementia.com

Stewart had planned to make the announcement at an event organised by Melbourne property investor Craig Joel who has worked with Stewart on similar events in the past.

But the Australian Grand Prix’s cancellation in March this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the fundraiser.

The Chair of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation, Professor Graeme Samuel AC, honoured Stewart’s pledge and acknowledged Mr Joel’s commitment to supporting Australian dementia researchers.

“We too acknowledge Mr Joel for his enthusiasm and generosity of time and spirit to help to make this programme a reality,” Professor Samuel said. “And we are absolutely delighted to launch the fellowship powered by Sir Jackie’s vision and commitment to dementia research.

“These fellowships form part of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation’s 2020 grant round, with over AUD $1.7 million in funding on offer for early-career researchers.”

“Two, three-year dementia research fellowships of AUD $405,000 will be awarded, in biomedical, clinical or psychosocial areas of dementia research. Fellowships include a generous salary as well as funding for project expenses.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic Formula 1 has backed health initiatives as part of Project Pitlane for the manufacture of respirators, the sport has now responded to Stewart’s call.

“We are using Formula 1 as a good example of problem solving, we’re lined up with McLaren and Red Bull to get our PhD’s to see how quickly change occurs in Formula 1 faster than any activity in the world today,” he said.

For Dementia Australia Grant information: https://www.dementia.org.au/research/grants

For Race Against Dementia information: https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/