Teesside family reunites with BTCC star who inspired charity

Meeting British Touring Car Championship driver Nicolas Hamilton – the brother of F1 star Lewis Hamilton – at Croft Circuit in 2015 changed James Connaughton’s life.

James, who has cerebral palsy, met Hamilton as the driver was making his BTCC debut.

The meeting inspired his parents, Paul and Julie, to create a charity for young people with special and complex needs.

More than a decade later, motoring retailer Vertu gave James the chance to reunite with his hero.

British Touring Car Championship racer Nicolas Hamilton and James Connaughton. (Image: Vertu Motors plc)

Vertu’s BMW dealerships in Sunderland, Teesside and Durham invited the Middlesbrough family to the recent BTCC meeting at Croft, arranging tickets and a reunion with Hamilton, who now races for Team VERTU.

Before taking to the track for the latest three rounds of the season, Hamilton spent time catching up with James and his family, who were able to tell him how much of an impact that first meeting had.

Paul said: “Meeting Nic back in 2015 was a hugely special moment that not only had a positive impact on our family, but also acted as the inspiration for us to create the charity to support both James and other young people in a similar position.

“Nic is a true role model for people living with disabilities and continues to show that anything is possible, particularly when you consider that he was told he would never walk as a child.

“A huge thank you to Vertu for providing us with the opportunity to meet up again at Croft to share with Nic what a huge impact he has had since that first meeting over ten years ago, with the Community Interest Company he inspired having now helped countless youngsters from across the North East.”

James Connaughton and Paul Connaughton. (Image: Vertu Motors plc)

The Connaughton family’s charity, JPC Community Hub CIC, helps people with special and complex needs live more independently and feel included in their communities.

Paul, who worked in the automotive industry for much of his career, also set up JPC Specialist Motorsports to host fundraisers and promote the charity’s work.

Vertu arranged the reunion after supporting the annual Smiles for Miles event at Hardwick Hall earlier this year and hearing James’ story.

Jeff Aynsley, head of business at Vertu BMW Sunderland, said: “We have worked alongside JPC a number of times through the years, and were delighted to support Paul at Smiles for Miles earlier in the year.

“When we heard how that first meeting with Nic had inspired Paul and his family to set up JPC, we were happy to arrange a reunion.”

He added: “Nic is a fantastic role model for people living with disabilities through his determination to achieve his dream of becoming a racing driver, and we’re proud to have been able to bring everyone together to share the story.”

Hamilton became the first disabled person to compete in the British Touring Car Championship when he made his debut at Croft in 2015.

The reunion gave the Connaughton family the chance to thank the driver whose determination inspired a charity that now supports people across the region.