Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 18/11/2008 14:36

Are you stuck for Christmas present ideas for your female friends, relatives and loved ones? Have they got a sense of adventure? Would you like to give them a great day out whilst giving to charity at the same time? Or do you just want the chance to organise a fun girls’ day out?

On Sunday, 29th March 2009, The Fire Fighters Charity, supported by Cornwall County Fire Brigade is once again holding its Ladies Driving Challenge at RAF Portreath, Redruth and is calling for ladies all over Cornwall to sign up from today.

The Ladies Driving Challenge, held last year for the first time, gives women the chance to drive a once-in-a-lifetime variety of large and unusual vehicles. Participants will be able to try their hand at manoeuvring a range of different vehicles including fire engines, police cars, ambulances, JCBs, articulated Lorries, buses, coaches and possibly even a tank, all kindly donated by local organisations.

Event organiser Mike Perraton says, “The Ladies Driving Challenge promises to be an exciting day, with a chance to drive a fantastic collection of vehicles. Other types of driving events can be uncomfortable and competitive with an emphasis on speed, which can be intimidating. The Ladies Driving 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 – last year we raised almost £37,000 and hope to smash that target this year.”

All women over the age of 17 with a full Driving Licence are welcome to join in the fun during either a morning or afternoon session. Registration costs £10 and entrants are asked to raise a minimum of £90 in sponsorship. If you wish to buy the day as a gift, simply register them and pay the £100 for the gift certificate to take part. All proceeds from the event will go to The Fire Fighters Charity.

Ken Yeo, Lib Dem Executive Member for Public Protection says, “Behind the fun, there is an opportunity to help fund The Fire Fighters Charity. This Charity supports our heroic firefighters who risk their lives for us. Every day they tackle incidents that involve the potential risk of serious injury. Despite rigorous training and top quality equipment things can and do go wrong and when this happens it’s not only the firefighters who suffer, but also their families. The Fire Fighters Charity is the only charity dedicated to supporting firefighters and their families in times of need. I hope that lots of ladies will register for the event and raise lots of money to support this worthwhile cause.”

He adds “I would also remind you of the current despicable scam where people are trying to get businesses to pay to advertise supposedly to support this Charity, if you are approached in this way please inform Trading Standards at once.”

The day will also be an opportunity to meet local firefighters and for those who may be interested in a wholetime or retained career in the Fire Service in Cornwall, there will be the chance to try some of the practical elements of being a firefighter. Further details will be enclosed in the registration pack.

To take part in the Ladies Driving Challenge, entrants can register online through the Fire Brigade’s web site www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire or www.ladiesdrivingchallenge.co.uk, otherwise you can request a registration pack from Mike Perraton on 07717 895424.


Notes to Editor

The Fire Fighters Charity offers support to all Fire Service personnel and their families during times of need, by providing services such as therapy and recuperation facilities.

Despite the best training, accidents and tragedies are sadly inevitable and the Fire Fighters Charity is here to support these brave men and women when things don’t go according to plan.

On average, a Firefighter suffers physical, psychological or emotional trauma every hour of every day.

The Fire Fighters Charity have two Therapy and Recuperation Centres in the UK to provide physical and emotional rehabilitation to the Firefighters.

Today over 13,000 beneficiaries are supported annually by the Charity, which puts it in the top 10 Most Effective Charities in the UK.

More details contact Mike Perraton 07717 895424.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=43537