DRIVING instructor, Andrew Pitt, from Bude, recently took part in the Big Learner Relay 2016.

The event is a national relay that saw a convoy of driving instructors and their pupils, passing through towns and villages across England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland and will continue throughout November, raising money in aid of BBC Children in Need 2016.

The convoy started on November 1 in Northern Ireland and then reconvened on November 4 at Salisbury in Wiltshire, making its way down to Devon and Cornwall — where Andrew took part on Sunday, November 6 — and continuing up through Wales and beyond.

Andrew was the lead car from Launceston to Bude, starting at Homeleigh Garden Centre at 5pm with his convoy of five cars that made their way to the Crescent car park in Bude, where Andrew handed over the top box to Terri Bryant who was then able to lead the car to Atlantic Village, Bideford.

Although Andrew has completed his part of the relay, there are still a few empty spots that people can sign and donate.

For anyone wanting to ‘sponsor a spot’ and write on it, they should contact Andrew. He can also be sponsored without having to sign a spot.

All proceeds will be added to the local Devon instructors’ group collaborative collection, which in turn will be added to the National Big Learner Relay total.

Last year, the Big Learner Relay raised almost £100,000, having increased from £65,000 the year it first began in 2014.

From Scotland, the relay will come back down the east coast of England until the relay ends at Donnington Park Race Circuit on Friday, November 18 (tomorrow).

This year, it covers more towns than before, and it is hoped to raise much more money for Children in Need.

It is the brainchild of driving instructor and trainer, Lou Walsh, who is based near Swindon.