Women drivers wanted for charity challenge

ROTHERHAM'S women drivers are being invited to take up a charity driving challenge.

The British Red Cross and The Fire Fighters' Charity is urging women to sign up for a unique opportunity to drive weird and wonderful vehicles at the Annual Ladies Driving Challenge.

The challenge will be held at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, Near Lutterworth, Leicestershire, on October 10 when women will be able to try their hand at manoeuvring a range of different vehicles such as fire engines, steam engines, trucks and tractors, all donated by local organisations.

Max Newton, Community Fundraiser for Yorkshire said:

“The Ladies Driving Challenge promises to be an exciting day, with the chance for the women of Rotherham to operate a fantastic collection of vehicles often associated with male drivers. Other types of driving events can be uncomfortably competitive with an emphasis on speed, and this has been known to put off some women.

"The Women-only Challenge is much more relaxed with the focus on handling vehicles with skill and enjoying new experiences, as well as raising money for a good cause. The event is always very popular and we expect places to fill early so we urge people to register as early as possible to guarantee their place.”

All women over the age of 17 with a full driving licence are welcome to join in the fun during either the morning or afternoon sessions. Registration costs £10 and entrants are asked to raise a minimum of £90 in sponsorship. All proceeds from the event will be split evenly between The Fire Fighters Charity and British Red Cross.

The event raised over £23,000 in 2009, which was split between the two charities. This year the event has been expanded, so there is now space for three hundred ladies on the day, which means it’s going to be bigger and better than ever.

To sign up for the event please contact Max at [email protected] or visit www.redcross.org.uk/ladiesdrivingchallenge .