Big Learner Relay for Children in Need to come to Rochdale for first time ever

Spotty cars galore for last year's Big Learner Relay

The Big Learner Relay for Children in Need will be coming to Rochdale for the first time ever this November.

A two-week event now in its fifth year, the Big Learner Relay features driving instructors and pupils across the country all getting together to raise money for Children in Need.

Hampshire driving instructor Louise Walsh is the inspiration behind the relay, which begins in Jersey on Monday 29 October, on to Northern Ireland on Wednesday 31 October before continuing the convoy around the England, Scotland and Wales from Friday 2 November. Driving instructors will be relaying a top box from one driving lesson to another across the UK.

This year, the relay will pass through Heywood and Rochdale ahead of a grand finale around the famous Silverstone Race Circuit on Friday 16 November, coinciding with the Children in Need Appeal Day.

The route will cover over 3,000 miles with driving instructors having prepared to take part since May. Each instructor will come up with ways to raise funds in whatever way works for them, their pupils and business. Ideas so far include sponsored lessons, fancy dress lessons, PJs for Pudsey and car washes.

However, the biggest fundraiser by far is ‘sponsor a spot’ – donating money to sign a coloured spot and stick it onto an instructor’s car, so keep your eyes peeled for numerous spotty cars in the coming weeks.

In 2014, the very first Big Learner Relay raised over £65,000 – over £60,000 more than the original goal. Since then, the Big Learner Relay has raised over £300,000 for Children in Need.

Each leg of the relay has a lead car to carry the top box to ensure the route runs without a break in the chain.

Not wanting to miss out on any of the fun, Louise will be travelling the entire UK route in the back of each car’s lesson.

She said: “I am so looking forward to meeting the hundreds of participating instructors, taking photos, cheering the convoy on and wearing my Big Learner Relay hoodie with pride as we travel around the country.”