Michael Schumacher 'signs' helmet to raise money for charity 12 years after devastating ski crash

Formula 1 icon Michael Schumacher has 'signed' a crash helmet belonging to Sir Jackie Stewart with the aid of his wife Corinna.

Schumacher, who has not been seen in public since falling into a coma after suffering a life-threatening skiing accident in 2013, added his initials 'MS' to the helmet and is among every living world champion to contribute his signature.

He was helped by his wife Corinna, who nurses Schumacher with a retinue of medical staff at their home on the shores of Lake Geneva.

The helmet will be sold to raise funds for Sir Jackie Stewart's Race Against Dementia charity.

The white helmet with Royal Stewart Tartan will be revealed at Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Stewart will also drive his 1973 championship-winning Tyrrell on an exhibition lap prior to the race.

The 85-year-old expressed his delight at Schumacher’s contribution.

He said: "It is wonderful that Michael could sign the helmet in this worthy cause - a disease for which there is no cure. His wife helped him, and it completed the set of every single champion still with us."

Michael Schumacher has signed Jackie Stewart's helmet. Image: Getty

Race Against Dementia was launched by Stewart after his wife, Lady Stewart, was diagnosed with dementia.

Stewart lives in Buckinghamshire but also spends time in Switzerland, where he has created an accessible home for his wife without steps or obstacles.

Speaking to BBC last week, he opened up about Lady Stewart's dementia, revealing that she recently forgot who he was.

"Just the other day it was time for dinner, she’s getting up and I’m sitting close by, and she says, 'Where’s Jackie?' That’s the first time that’s happened and that’s only a few weeks ago," he said.

"A bad feeling came over me."

The Scot hopes a cure can be found in his lifetime.

He added: “I want this to happen just as much as I wanted to be world champion. It’s terribly important.”