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You've probably been to charity functions when time is given over to whatever the cause might be and its good work. That's always been the way of it at the start of the annual Sparks Motorsport Champions Dinner and Auction in Belfast. There will be a few words and a video describing the latest result of a liaison between Action Medical Research and university research projects for, among others, the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

A perfect example in recent years has been the invention and development of the Microneedle by Professor Ryan Donnelly of Queens University. The use of hypodermic needles and cannulas is almost impossible on premature and new-born babies because of their size and the risk of bruising, never mind extracting the frequent and necessary blood samples. The Microneedle looks like a clear plastic patch that sits easily on the tip of your finger. The side that feels rough has not one but 361 tiny needles that are sharp at the tips. They penetrate only the top layer of skin without touching nerves but collecting the information-giving fluid that surround cells in the skin's outer layer. It's a brilliant device that came, in part, from the money raised by Action Medical Research.

The purpose of briefly detailing stories such as this is to encourage bidding for an auction of motor sport items and memorabilia at the end of the evening. The fact that it works is proven by at least £30K being raised each year, helped enormously over time by star guests such as Damon Hill, Eddie Jordan, Bob Bell, Martin Brundle, Pat Symonds and, this year, Ari Vatanen.

At last Friday's event, the 20th since its inception, there was an interesting twist. The charity was not only shown to be working much closer to home than we thought but the link came from a highly unlikely source.

Garry Jennings appears, at first glance, to be a hooligan rally driver; a quick one, as an outstanding win the Donegal International and various rally classics will attest, but a wild man nonetheless with his untamed hair and penchant for dancing on tables as the evening staggers into early morning.

During the round of interviews covering stars from two wheels and four, host Pamela Ballantine asked Jennings about his daughter, Annie, born earlier this year. The man normally associated with colourful turns of phrase and swashbuckling anecdotes suddenly became thoughtful. He didn't see this question coming. But his answer held the room in its thrall.

Right from the get-go, Garry and his wife Kerry knew something was wrong with their second born. It turned out Annie had Meningitis and was rushed straight to intensive care, Mum and Dad dropping everything to be with their daughter as one seemingly endless day followed another.

"I had no idea what Meningitis was, never mind being able to spell it," said Jennings. However, the one phrase he was familiar with - Action Medical Research - was mentioned by the consultant when discussing the serious course of action needed.

"I never said a word about knowing about Action Medical Research and having helped contribute over the years through the Sparks dinner," recalled Jennings. "I didn't want them to think I was trying to be a smart arse and pull rank but, I'm telling you, hearing those words was incredibly reassuring.

"I'd seen the clips of film at these dinners and heard all about the good work they do. But you know how it is: you watch these things and think they apply to other people; that it'll never happen to you. And suddenly, here we were, faced with this crisis and desperate - as any parent would be - to have everything turn out right. It really brings it home to you just what this is all about and the brilliant work these people do."

Stories like that probably helped accelerate the audience into greater acts of generousity to match the extremely kind donations from far and wide. Mercedes AMG Petronas F1, for instance, gave a signed pair of Nico Rosberg's gloves that fetched £1000; a cap signed by Lewis Hamilton going for £750.

Annie, I'm pleased to report, is now in good health. And so is the underlying reason behind an annual excuse to have fun as only the Irish can while actually serving a seriously good cause. The 21st anniversary next year promises to be, as they say in Northern Ireland, an absolute cracker.

Maurice Hamilton writes for ESPN F1.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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