SUPPORTERS have launched a last-ditch effort to save the Peter Brock Foundation following revelations there are plans to close it down.
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Peter Brock established the charitable foundation in 1997 so he could give back to racing fans and extend the warmth and support people had shown him throughout his racing career.
Family members took over the running of the foundation following Brock’s death in a rally crash in 2006 and moves to shut the foundation have created a major rift.
Peter Brock’s son Robert has asked auditors to go over the charity’s books and consider its future as a response to recent changes to regulations on governance of charities.
Robert Brock confirmed the charity’s future was uncertain but he rejected claims from his uncle Phil – Peter Brock’s brother – that he wanted to close the foundation to give him greater financial control over his father’s legacy.
The Western Advocate understands October 20 has been earmarked as the closing day for the foundation.
But supporters are not giving up without a fight, with Phil Brock and one of Peter Brock’s long-time friends, Bathurst’s Carol Dobbie, vowing to do all they can to keep it going.
“The decision to shut it has made my sick,” Ms Dobbie said.
“The Foundation was what Peter wanted and I am so upset that it is coming to an end.”
Phil Brock said his family was starting to fracture over the decision.
“When family members are doing things that don’t seem right then I am going to stand up and fight,” Mr Brock said. “The Foundation is what Peter wanted and was passionate about.
“He kept it going even after separating with Bev because he believed in it.
“We will keep fighting this and I have been asking questions in the public forum but not getting any answers.”
A Facebook page, Save the Peter Brock Foundation, has been set up and Mr Brock and Ms Dobbie hope for an outpouring of support.
“If Robert doesn’t want to be part of the Foundation any more that is fine, we can get a new board of directors in,” Ms Dobbie said.
“We can’t understand why he wants to close it. We have been told that people will be upset for a while, but they will get over it.
“That will not be the case. The Peter Brock Foundation has a lot of passionate support.”
The Foundation’s primary purpose is to help those in need who have nowhere else to turn.
“It was always about the fans, not family,” Mr Brock said. “I can’t let this go because it is too important and we will keep fighting to stop it from closing.”
