DRIVING instructors are gearing up to take part in a 3,000-mile relay in aid of BBC Children in Need.

Superdrive Academy’s founder and instructor Shaun Harrington-Lunt has brought together Andover driving instructors to fundraise for the Big Learner Relay, where instructors all over the country, with learner drivers, travel in convoy transporting a Pudsey bear and relay organiser Lou Walsh.

On Monday, November 12, Shaun will be travelling in the lead car with learner driver Rebekah Davis from Thruxton Race Circuit to Wilton House in Salisbury, as part of a convoy of around 20 other cars.

Shaun said: “It is great for local independent businesses to come together for a great cause to support disadvantaged children.

“I’m very proud how we’ve come together as a team to take part in this great fund-raising event.”

Driving schools and instructors taking part in the convoy relay to Salisbury are Chris Reilly and Sarah Dunlop also from Superdrive Academy, Emily Green and Tracey Russell from Green Light Driving Academy, Aimee Cook from Andover Driving School, Rachel Hicks from Rachel’s Driving School and Simon Crowe from New Driver.

Jude from Jude’s Driving School and Martyn Cowell from Martyn Cowell’s Driving School also helped to fundraise despite not being able to take part on the day itself.

The Big Learner Relay started in Jersey on Monday, October 29, before it continued to Northern Ireland and then the rest of the UK.

The grand finale will be at Silverstone Race Circuit on Friday, November 16, which is the Children in Need Appeal Day 2018.

The Andover team is asking residents to look out for driving school cars with spots on as instructors are asking for “sponsor a spot” donations to the Children in Need cause.

Anyone can sponsor a spot on the car by signing it and making a donation, which will also give donors the chance to win a skid-pan course from Thruxton Motor Sport.

Alternatively donations can be made via text message, texting TBLR94 with the amount to 70070 or go to justgiving.com/fundraising/andoverblr.

To find out more about the effort, go to superdriveacademy.co.uk.