Children in Need: Basingstoke instructors raise thousands

Barry Davis and five other instructors accompanied by their pupils helped raise more than £20,000 in the annual event on November 16 for BBC Children in Need.

The fundraiser involved relaying a Pudsey top box – the kind that instructors use to advertise on top of their cars - from one driving lesson to the next, over 3,000 miles around the UK in just 12 days, beginning in Aberdeen to Goodwood motor circuit.

Mercury Driving School, which Barry works for, decided to take part in the relay after many years of doing Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children.

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Barry said: "As a father I am trying to show my son that it is important to help those that are less fortunate wherever possible even by playing a small part to help a charity as big as Children in Need. Being part of a larger event was thoroughly enjoyable as it was an opportunity to meet many other like-minded people whilst having fun."

At the BBC Children in Need's Big Learner Relay. (Image: Barry Davis)

As a small family-run company, Mecury Driving School get most of its business through recommendations so it doesn't pay for advertising, it prefers to use its marketing budget to take part in charity events each year in order to give something back.

Ahead of the event, companies in Basingstoke and learners have been sponsoring spots which have been put on Barry’s car replicating those on Pudsey’s eyepatch.

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As the instructors have seen many children enjoying the spots and pudseys on their cars they have decided to keep them on until Christmas.

The driving school thanked its main business sponsors, Man V Fat Football Basingstoke and Doodle Signs, as well as the many families who sponsored them.