The final numbers are in for the Justin Wilson Charity Auction: $546,967.49 was raised from 509 items that sold via eBay’s website. With helmets privately auctioned by Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Graham Rahal ($50,000) and Ryan Hunter-Reay ($24,000), plus more raised by NBCSN Formula 1 pit reporter Will Buxton ($16,100) through a private auction, the total leaps to $637,067.94.

Created by Rahal in partnership with eBay, and facilitated by Auction Cause, the auction’s proceeds represent a significant contribution to the Wilson Children’s Fund, which was established to care for Wilson’s family after his death on Aug. 24.

After nearly two months of effort to acquire and auction pieces through eBay, Wilson’s younger brother Stefan (BELOW, with Justin) expressed his gratitude for all those who volunteered behind the scenes, donated, and bought items.

“It’s hard to know exactly the right words to use in a situation like this when ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem quite adequate,” he said. “It’s obviously been a difficult few months for all of Justin’s family, friends, and his fans. Everyone’s support throughout has been incredible. There were so many unique and extraordinary items that were donated. I feel so grateful and a bit guilty at times that people were giving up items that were clearly precious keepsakes to raise money for Justin’s wife Julia and his daughters Jane and Jess.

“Items such as Patsy White’s signed Greg Moore memorabilia, a Dan Wheldon race-worn helmet, the pieces of bodywork from sports car teams like Scuderia Corsa and Audi Sport… Also, all the IndyCar drivers who donated their helmets, all the Formula 1 teams that helped, and everyone who donated items, whether they were large or small, we are just incredibly grateful.

“I also want to acknowledge and thank the many people who played a role in setting up and running the auction. Obviously Graham Rahal and his foundation deserve a lot of praise, but also eBay, Auction Cause, Heather Carpenter, Liz Power, Alexander Wurz, Allan McNish, Marino Franchitti, Will Buxton, Leigh Diffey, Mike Shank, and many, many others who contributed so much time and effort.”

With Auction Cause serving as the rallying point for all donations, the California-based firm donated untold hours across an impressive number of staff to receive each item, then photograph and post hundreds of pieces of memorabilia. Through the Indy Family Foundation, Carpenter made the business of receiving and processing donations possible. Through Power, auction items from the world of entertainment—and sports outside of motor racing—gave bidders a wider range of items to pursue.

Through Buxton and Wurz, almost the entire Formula 1 paddock donated items that would receive some of the highest bids, and through Diffey, legends of motorsport made sure fans had pieces of history to take home.

IndyCar’s drivers and teams gave and then gave some more. IMSA’s sports car teams and drivers reached deep and contributed one-of-a-kind items. The FIA World Endurance Championship connected directly with teams, and drivers from Mark Webber to McNish to Anthony Davidson to Darren Turner were among many who scoured the grid for items to send to Auction Cause. The Red Bull Global Rallycross series, NHRA, V8 Supercars, FIA Formula E teams, and a bevy of drivers and team owners throughout the world pulled from their personal collections to contribute priceless pieces that turned into thousands of dollars for Justin’s family. Small businesses sent watches; photographers made special prints, and Wilson’s father Keith even made custom JW cufflinks that were only available on eBay.

Tales from inside the auction have been a constant source of heart-warming goodness. The Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 was responsible for an unexpected contribution after its first donation of race-worn driver suits from three-time champion Lewis Hamilton ($16,100) and his teammate Nico Rosberg ($6512) raised $22,612. At last month’s US Grand Prix, where Buxton holds his annual “Buxton Bash” charity event, an attendee approached the Briton with an interesting proposal: After losing out on the first Hamilton suit (RIGHT, image: Auction Cause), he offered to donate the same $16,100 to the Wilson Children’s Fund if Buxton could get his hands on a second, signed driver suit. With an opportunity to further help Justin’s family, the Mercedes AMG team obliged, and thanks to Buxton’s tireless efforts, authentic Hamilton and Rosberg grand prix memorabilia eventually brought in $38,712.

And then there were the quiet gestures that spoke to the character of many those who won bids on items bearing the Wilson name. Race-worn Justin Wilson suits and helmets were bought with no intention of keeping the items, and with Stefan Wilson’s race-used helmet from Baltimore 2013 in particular–the one and only race where he and Justin competed together in IndyCar–another incredible story emerged.

“I want to acknowledge the incredible gesture that took place during the auction. After donating my helmet from Baltimore, somebody won the auction and donated it back to me,” said Wilson, who maintained the privacy of the winning bidder…who turned out to be a family friend. After seeing the helmet he shipped to Auction Cause return 10 days later, he knew something special had taken place.

“I didn’t intend for that to happen, but I am grateful nonetheless as I will hold on to that memory for the rest of my life. I wish we didn’t have a need for the auction, but I want everyone who participated to know how much of a difference it will make in Justin’s family’s life.”