Aston Martin Aramco completes second Make A Mark hospital tour

Aston Martin Aramco has completed its Make A Mark tour for the second consecutive year, reaffirming its commitment to driving positive impact through the team, sport and community engagement.

Visiting hospitals in Aberdeen, Leeds, Liverpool, London and Birmingham, the team shared gifts and offered children and their families the unforgettable opportunity to see a replica Formula One car up close and meet members of the Aston Martin Aramco driver squad.

Aston Martin Aramco Young Driver Jak Crawford joined the tours first stops at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Leeds Children's Hospital and Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Meeting young patients, families and NHS staff, Jak provided insight into what it's like to drive a Formula One car, giving patients a personal tour of his helmet and an F1 steering wheel.

The tour continued with stops at Birmingham Children's Hospital and Evelina Children's Hospital, where Aston Martin Aramco Head of F1 ACADEMY and Driver Ambassador, Jessica Hawkins, met children to hand out gifts and share her personal driving experiences.

While in Birmingham, AML brought the 'Doodle Car' to give children a chance to have fun and show their creativity by drawing on an Aston Martin DBX.

Since returning to F1 in 2021, Aston Martin Aramco has placed its commitment to ESG principles at the core of its operations. Guided by the Make A Mark strategy, the team strives to create a lasting positive impact not only within its own operations but also across the communities and environments surrounding it.

Jak Crawford, Young Driver, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, said:

"We took a replica car, steering wheel, and helmet for all the kids, families, and staff to see. For some, it was their first time seeing an F1 car, and it's great we were able to make them happy and put a smile on their faces, just as we have throughout the tour.

"It's easy to take it all for granted when you're surrounded by F1, so bringing it to local areas across the UK was a great opportunity to spread some joy during a difficult time."

Jessica Hawkins, Head of F1 ACADEMY and Driver Ambassador, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, said:

"This month we completed the second year of our Make A Mark Hospital Tour, and it again felt so special to have the opportunity to try and make a positive impact on patients, families and staff, starting the tour in Aberdeen and stopping at four more hospitals across the UK.

"It gave us a chance to meet young patients bring some joy to their days. We also spent time with patients in their wards if they were unable to leave the hospital, hopefully bringing a memorable experience to them and an escape whilst they were undergoing treatment."

Prior to the tour, the team sent blank race suit templates for children to design, entering them into a competition. Three race suit designs were selected per hospital by Jak and Jessica, with the designers winning model cars. CEO and Team Principal Andy Cowell will then select the winner, whose design will be crafted into a real race suit they can wear. The winner will also have the chance to tour the AMR Technology Campus and meet the team.

Every stop on the tour was a chance to bring joy and connection to children and families, with the team delivering 100 Aston Martin Aramco teddies, as well as caps, beanies and stickers to each hospital for children and families to enjoy.

This follows on from last year's hospital tour, where we met more young patients and NHS staff throughout the UK.

Thank you to all the hospital staff and patients who welcomed us on the tour and who shared their inspiring stories with us. To support the incredible work these hospitals are doing, please donate below: