After being cancelled for the last two years due to the pandemic, the Big Learner Relay is back.

The relay brings together driving instructors and learners from across the country to raise money for the BBC’s Children in Need.

Created by the driving instructor Lou Walsh nine years ago, the event sees a Pudsey top box – the sign that some instructors use on the top of their cars – driven by a lead instructor vehicle through their city or town.

The top box is then handed over to the next lead instructor vehicle in their region with the relay continuing for over 3,000 miles, traveling across Scotland, England and Wales.

The lead cars are also driven by instructors from all walks of life:

  • Independent schools
  • Franchises (both national and local)
  • Instructor trainers
  • Instructors teaching in diesel, petrol and electric cars
  • Instructors who specialise in teaching people with disabilities.
Engines at the ready

The event begins on November 6 with 170 lead driving lessons carried out over 12 days.

The relay ends on 18 November – Children in Need’s official day – with a drive round the Goodwood Race Circuit (limited to a maximum speed of 30mph sadly…) before culminating in a party at a nearby swanky hotel.

Get involved

While many of the lead vehicles have now been designated, don’t fret as you can still take part. For instance, you can join the relay when it passes through your area with your instructor – here’s the official route with dates so you know when to turn up!

Alternatively, you can ‘sponsor a spot’. These are stickers that are stuck all over participating instructors’ cars and can be sponsored by pupils, businesses and the general public (see below).

Other ideas for raising money include sponsored lessons, fancy dress lessons and car washes. If you want to keep it simple, you can make a donation by mobile or online.

And donating to such a great cause really does work: Since the relay was created in 2014, it has raised over £500,000 for Children in Need.

“This year is even more special as the relay was unable to take place due to the pandemic. We still did our fundraising and brought our community together online but seeing our Big Learner Relay friends face to face is going to be very special.”

• BLR founder Lou Walsh who also sits in the back of each lead car for the entire 3,000+ mile trip!