Thursday’s Donington Park ‘Day of Champions’ was a resounding success, as €235,965 (approximately £185,000) was raised for the official charity of the MotoGP World Championship, Riders for Health, on the eve of the bwin.com British Grand Prix. Thanks to the generosity and support of the race-mad British fans in attendance and the continued enthusiasm of the MotoGP riders and teams at the now customary day of charity events, ‘Riders’ will receive a significant boost in their efforts to maintain and improve the delivery of medical supplies to deprived and remote regions of Africa. The ‘Day of Champions’ saw numerous activities, including a charity cycle ride around the circuit led by local hero James Toseland, who later entertained the crowds with a couple of sets with his band Crash, followed by a highly successful auction of rider memorabilia. A favourite of the fans wherever he goes, Valentino Rossi got a great reception from the auction attendees, the Italian raising over €25,000 ($38,814) as bids came in for a helmet, t-shirts, caps and paintings signed by the five-time MotoGP World Champion. Other notable bids included €7,215 ($11,202) for a set of Jorge Lorenzo’s leathers, €2,910 ($4518) for one of Bradley Smith’s helmets and €900 ($1397) for a sweatshirt being worn by Dani Pedrosa as he came onto the auction stage.