The ADI-powered Big Learner Relay 2014 is set to make a big impression this November – Theory Test Pro talks to the instructor behind the epic Children in Need-inspired convoy.
The Big Learner Relay is seriously ambitious. Starting in Ireland before hopping over to the mainland, the convoy will travel the length and breadth of Britain over 13 days carrying a Children in Need top box. And on each leg of the journey, a different set of ADIs and learners will form the convoy, raising money for the charity. It beggars the question – where did such an ambitious idea come from in the first place?
“It was a lightbulb moment,” says TBLR creator, Louise Walsh, a Hampshire-based ADI who was watching Children in Need 2013 at the time. Sat on the sofa with her husband, she recalls saying: ‘Why aren’t driving instructors doing something? Why aren’t we raising money for Children in Need? Tell you what – why don’t we relay a top box around the country from one lesson to another?’
Wanting feedback on her idea, Louise headed online to tentatively ask if any ADIs would be interested in helping her: “I thought we would end up with 20-30 of us at best, and we would do 200 miles each,” explains Louise. But within three hours, 600 people responded – and The Big Learner Relay was born.
To decide on the route for the relay, Louise sent out surveys to interested ADIs, asking for their details including where they were based: “Using the survey results, we plotted each ADI on a map so we could see where everyone was,” Louise explains. “From there, I chose volunteers to form a 8-9 member-strong committee based on key locations.”
Louise also went through 1,500 location suggestions supplied by interested ADIs before drawing up the finalised route, though she admits she had to dismiss some suggestions for practical reasons: “Stage meets at test centres were a popular suggestion,” explains Louise, “but we didn’t want to distract students who were taking their test, plus centres don’t always have the car parks that we would need for meeting up.”
With the route signed off, the proceeding months have seen TBLR capture the imaginations of ADIs and pupils across the UK – from October 30th to November 14th, the relay will cover 2,130+ miles and include 147 lead driving lessons (with learners at the wheel of course). Other instructors and pupils will also be joining the convoy at individual legs of the relay.
Number-wise, Louise is hoping that the convoy will have up to 12 cars per stage: “There are legs where it could be more than that – thanks to associations who are teaming up and bringing along 15 cars at a time,” she says, who will be in the back of each leg’s lead car herself, live-blogging about the relay’s progress.
ADIs are asking students to buy a ‘spot’ sticker on their car with any money raised donated to Children in Need.
But where will the relay finish on the 14th November, the day of Children in Need? “It’s one of the unknowns,” admits Louise. “We’ll finish in Birmingham at about two in the afternoon – but we’re waiting to see if the BBC will be using the city as one of its hosting locations for the big night. It would be amazing if we managed to generate enough funds and publicity that we’re invited down to the live show itself!”.
As well as raising funds for Children in Need, Louise says that helping and promoting the ADI community has been a top priority too: “It’s an opportunity for ADIs to work together,” she says. “I think we are quite an isolated industry and often only work on our own or in small teams.”
When it comes to socialising with fellow ADIs, Louise believes that for most instructors, it’s usually just a quick chat at the test centre or waving at a fellow ADI when out on the road: “TBLR represents a great opportunity to network,” Louise believes. “And also to be seen as an industry that is doing something good – and where we have all pulled together to make it happen.”
It’s a philosophy that’s reflected by the sheer range of ADIs taking part in the convoy – from ADIs who teach people with special needs and PDI trainers to motorbike instructors and trailer testers, everyone is welcome and included. And that includes you too – so join the convoy from October 30th or find out how else you can get involved below.
ADIs, Get Active
There are several ways for instructors to get involved:
- Join the convoy as it passes through your area – the more ADIs involved at each leg of the relay, the better. Check out the relay’s itinerary here for locations, dates and times.
- Organise your own event for the big day – The Big Learner Relay has inspired ADIs including those in Swindon who are holding their own mini-relay and even challenges including pyjamas-only day.
- Sponsor a spot – ADIs are asking pupils to pay a pound or more to write messages on spots that are then stuck to the ADI’s car. It’s a simple, effective way of raising money while promoting the event. Either buy the spots online or ask your local sign maker to help.
- Buy a T-Shirt – buy a Big Learner Relay T-shirt and part of the proceeds will be donated to Children in Need.
- Make a donation – head to the relay’s JustGiving page and give generously.
Pupil Powered
Learners, ask your driving instructor whether they’re involved in The Big Learner Relay – if they’re not, then give them a friendly nudge.
