Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 18/01/2010 18:30

Calling all women with a sense of adventure who want to experience something new and different whilst raising money for charity.

On Sunday, 21 March 2010, The Fire Fighters Charity, supported by Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service 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 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 £36,674.25 and hope to smash that target in 2010.”

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.

There are prizes for the top fund raisers too. Raise over £120 and get a Ladies Driving Challenge T-Shirt on the day. Raise over £400* and enjoy a VIP visit to a community fire station and be an honorary firefighter for the day.

The lady who raises the most money in sponsorship* will get a weekend spa break for two at St Michael’s Hotel, Falmouth (www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk). This prize includes a two night break (for two people) at St Michael’s Hotel and Spa with breakfast, and dinner on one night at The Flying Fish Restaurant, full use of all the spa facilities and one 30 minute spa treatment per person.

The day will also be an opportunity to meet your local firefighters and for those who may be interested in a career in the Fire and Rescue Service in Cornwall to find out more as there will the chance to try some of the practical elements of being a firefighter. Further details will be enclosed in the registration pack.

Lance Kennedy, cabinet member for stronger communities said: “Behind the fun, there is a very serious message that we are supporting those firefighters who risk their lives for us. When they enter a burning building, there is always the real risk of serious injury, and when the worst happens it’s not only the firefighters who suffer, but also their families. The Charity is the only charity dedicated to supporting firefighters and their families in times of need and helping to speed their recovery back to operational duty”.

To take part in the ‘Ladies Driving Challenge’, entrants should request a registration pack from Mike on mobile contact - 07717 895424 or alternatively register online through the Fire and Rescue Service web site www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire

or www.ladiesdrivingchallenge.co.uk

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7244