BUDE-based driving instructor, Andrew Pitt, will be a ‘lead car’ in ‘The Big Learner Relay’ on Sunday, November 6, to raise money for Children in Need.

This two-week event, now in its third year, features driving instructors and pupils across the country all getting together to raise money for Children in Need.

This year, Andrew will lead a convoy of cars from Homeleigh Garden Centre in Launceston at 5pm up to the Crescent car park in Bude, before finally finishing in Bideford.

Driving instructors will be relaying a top box, (the kind that driving instructors have on the roof of their cars), from one driving lesson to another around England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The relay starts with a day in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, November 1. The top box will then continue its convoy around the rest of the UK on Friday, November 4.

The grand finale will be at Donnington Race Park on Friday, November 18, which is the Children in Need Appeal Day 2016 — 14 days, 3000 miles, 190 lead driving lessons and many thousands of instructors and pupils joining the convoy.

Each instructor will come up with ways to raise funds in whichever way works for them, their pupils and their businesses. Some are getting together and are going to do something as a local group, some are working with local driving instructor associations and some are just doing things within their franchises or on their own.

Ideas so far include sponsored lessons, fancy dress lessons, PJs for Pudsey and car washes. But by far the biggest fundraiser is ‘sponsor a spot’. Pupils, businesses and the general public are donating money to sign a coloured spot and stick it on their instructor’s car. The public should keep their eyes peeled for spotty cars across the UK.

In 2014 the total raised stood at over £65,000. Last year they were thrilled to reach just a few pounds short of £100,000.

Andrew is one of several driving instructors that are involved on a more committed level by being lead cars. This is to ensure that every leg of the relay has a confirmed instructor and pupil in place to carry the top box to ensure the relay runs without a break in the chain.

The lead cars demonstrate the diversity in this profession; independent schools, franchises both national and local, instructor trainers, instructors teaching in diesel, petrol and electric cars and instructors who specialise in teaching people with disabilities.

This year the event sees a ‘lead car’ ambulance with an instructor that trains paramedics how to drive an ambulance. Instructors in every part of the country are planning on joining the relay and convoying behind the top box car.

Looking forward, to the day, Andrew is already pleased with the response of other driving instructors in North Cornwall and the surrounding areas.

Andrew said: “Having been asked by the event founder, Lou Walsh, I’ve already had a great response from local driving instructors to get involved.

“The likes of Sascha Jacob, Karen Martin, Oliver Bastion, and Jason Jeffery have already said they’ll take part so we’re expecting a really good evening.

“Although we have no specific target in mind, we just want to raise as much money as we can for this wonderful charity.”

For further information of how to get involved with Andrew Pitt’s convoy, or how to donate, contact Andrew on 07790 734334 / 01288 354993.