Video: Children in Need's Big Learner Relay comes to Carrickfergus

A Carrickfergus driving school has done its bit to raise funds for Children in Need by taking part in the charity's Big Learner Relay yesterday (November 1).
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Nov 2017, 11:32 BST
Updated 12th Dec 2017, 01:39 BST
Driving instructors including Caroline Johnston, from Caroline's School of Motoring in Carrickfergus, at the Churchill tank on the Marine Highway during the Children in Need Big Learner Relay.Driving instructors including Caroline Johnston, from Caroline's School of Motoring in Carrickfergus, at the Churchill tank on the Marine Highway during the Children in Need Big Learner Relay.
Driving instructors including Caroline Johnston, from Caroline's School of Motoring in Carrickfergus, at the Churchill tank on the Marine Highway during the Children in Need Big Learner Relay.

The UK-wide relay is just one of the fundraising initiatives taking place during the annual charity campaign.It kicked off on November 1 at Belfast Castle, with the BLR Pudsey top box to be transported from one driving school car to the next over the 15 day event.

The first leg followed a route from Belfast to Carrick and then Larne, following on to Crumlin, Sprucefield, Ballynahinch, Clough, Saintfield, Comber and Bangor.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Organisers were due to head to Aberdeen for the second leg through Scotland today.

Driving instructors including Caroline Johnston, from Caroline's School of Motoring in Carrickfergus, at the Churchill tank on the Marine Highway during the Children in Need Big Learner Relay.Driving instructors including Caroline Johnston, from Caroline's School of Motoring in Carrickfergus, at the Churchill tank on the Marine Highway during the Children in Need Big Learner Relay.
Driving instructors including Caroline Johnston, from Caroline's School of Motoring in Carrickfergus, at the Churchill tank on the Marine Highway during the Children in Need Big Learner Relay.

The relay will cover 3000 miles' worth of driving lessons across the UK, ending with a grand finale on November 17 at Knowsley Safari Park, Liverpool.

Driving schools across the UK have been asking local people and businesses to sponsor a dot on their learner cars as part of the campaign, alongside a host of other fundraising activities.

Participating as one of the 'lead' cars in the relay was Greenisland-based Caroline's School of Motoring, owned by Caroline Johnston.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Caroline's School of Motoring has raised just over £1,300, including text donations," Caroline said. "We're hoping to get it up to £1,500 by November 17.

The Carrickfergus leg of the Big Learner Relay.The Carrickfergus leg of the Big Learner Relay.
The Carrickfergus leg of the Big Learner Relay.

"We're delighted with all the support we have received."

And with £6500 and counting in donations so far, the Northern Ireland total has already surpassed its initial target of £5000.

2017 is the fourth year of the Big Learner Relay, which has in the past raised over £250,000 for Children in Need.

It is hoped that next year, even more driving schools in Northern Ireland will take part, allowing the relay to expand into the east of the province.

Related topics:PudseyCarrick