Lewis Hamilton, the 2016 Formula One World Champion, Visits Epson in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

Epson, a global innovation leader in printing, visual communications and manufacturing, welcomed Lewis Hamilton to its UK headquarters in Hemel Hempstead at the weekend to celebrate the end of an incredible first season as an official sponsor to the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM Team. 

While at the offices in Apsley on Saturday, the Formula One triple World Champion kindly donated one of his race suits with winning provenance to Epson’s official charity partner Herts Air Ambulance.  The charity will auction the suit at an event next year to raise valuable funds for its lifesaving service.  Lewis also took time out to meet Epson’s staff and their families and answered questions in an informal interview session hosted by Rob Clark, senior vice-president for Epson Europe.  Ten lucky Epson staff members and their families also got the chance for a personal meet and greet with Lewis to make their experience even more memorable.

In his first ever speaking engagement in Hertfordshire, Lewis Hamilton said: “Hertfordshire is my home county, so the opportunity to visit Epson and its staff at the headquarters as well as help their nominated charity, Herts Air Ambulance to fund-raise is personal and special to me. I have family connections to the area, so I’m delighted to donate a race suit to such a worthy cause. I won a race wearing it this season, so I hope it will have similar good fortune when it is used for fund-raising.”

Jane Gurney, chief executive officer, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust said: “We have been completely bowled over by Lewis Hamilton’s generosity in donating a racesuit from his World Championship season to our charity. We rely upon the generosity of the people and businesses of Hertfordshire to keep the Herts Air Ambulance flying and such an exciting donation will provide a tremendous boost to our fundraising work.  A huge thank you to Epson who, in making us their  official charity partner, have not only made this wonderful donation possible but have themselves raised over £16,000 for the Air Ambulance this year.”

Epson began its global partnership with MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS earlier this year to provide expertise in the areas of inkjet printers, scanners, 3LCD projectors and wearables.  The partnership aligns two world-renowned champion brands committed to the relentless pursuit of innovation and the attainment of global leadership positions.

The season saw Lewis Hamilton crowned World Champion for the third time and the team claim a second consecutive Constructors’ world title.

Rob Clark commented: “This was a fantastic way to celebrate the end of an amazing season for Epson and MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS and to thank our staff for all their hard work this year.  Being able to help Herts Air Ambulance at the same time made this extra special.  As a major employer in Hemel Hempstead, it’s important to support Herts Air Ambulance who operate in the area where many of our staff live.”