1 of 3 Christianne says volunteering saved her life Photo: Personal Archive Christianne says volunteering saved her life Photo: Personal Archive
The daughter of a British Formula 1 legend tells how she went from being a rich woman to being homeless until she managed to change the direction of her life again.
Christianne Ireland grew up on the circuit following her father Innes Ireland and spent her days with other racing champions such as Stirling Moss and Graham Hill.
According to her, volunteering at a community garden project saved her life.
She remembers the first few years she lived with her father and says it was “like living in a circus.”
“Stirling [automobilista britânico que foi quatro vezes vicecampeão da Fórmula 1] he was his best friend. Frank Williams [fundador e dirigente da equipe de Fórmula 1 Williams] would show up and we would have dinner at Stirling's. I was put in the car and we drove off,” she remembers.
“The door was open to everyone, unlike Formula 1 now.”
But after years of driving big cars and traveling the world, she ended up standing at the door of a homeless shelter in the southern British city of Andover with just one suitcase.
“It was like falling out of an ivory tower,” she says.
2 of 3 Christianne is the daughter of British racing driver Innes Ireland, Formula 1 Grand Prix champion in 1961 when she was three years old Photo: Personal Archive Christianne is the daughter of British racing driver Innes Ireland, Formula 1 Grand Prix champion in 1961 1961, when she was three years old Photo: Personal archive
At the time, she was 58, had been through two divorces, was addicted to alcohol and said she had no choice but to leave her old home in Berkshire to live in temporary accommodation.
“I had to leave the shelter from 8 a.m. onwards. I didn't know how to live on the streets. I didn’t know anyone,” she says.
“I spent most of my day making sure I didn't drink because as soon as I started, I lost control.”
As part of her recovery from alcoholism, Christianne was encouraged to volunteer for a charity.
She began working on a small agricultural property in Andover.
“On days when I was feeling really bad and wanted a drink, I would just put one foot in front of the other and go to the vegetable garden,” she remembers.
3 of 3 Christianne and her parents led a life of wealth Photo: Personal Archive Christianne and her parents lived a life of wealth Photo: Personal Archive
The garden soon gave her a glimmer of hope and after a few months Christianne managed to find a job and rent an apartment.
Now the 65yearold works as a support manager at the charity, where she volunteers and helps oversee a food donation project for people in need.
“I grew up with our vegetable garden,” she says.
Arriving at the homeless shelter was one of the most difficult times in Christianne's life.
But she also believes that losing everything has made her a better person.
“In a way, I see looking back [essa experiência] like a snake shedding its skin. And then I found myself,” she says.
Christianne encourages others to consider volunteering as a New Year's resolution.
“It is never too late to change something. Just put one foot in front of the other and something will happen,” he adds.