A DRIVING instructor from York will take part in a national fundraising event later this year.

Ken Haigh, from Tang Hall, has been an instructor for more than three years, and used to teach motoring skills in the Army, and said he heard about the Big Learner Relay last year.

The event will see scores of driving instructors take part in a relay of more than 2,100 miles around England and Northern Ireland between October 30 and November 14, with thousands of instructors and pupils taking part.

Ken said: "The event organiser Louise Walsh asked a few people whether they would be up for it. That was months ago, last year, and I said sign me up. When it came to pick a lead car to bring the procession out of York, I managed to get myself in there.

"Though Facebook and Twitter there are so many people involved in it now, it's absolutely unbelievable. We're all taking pupils with us, it will be an actual lesson for them. The idea is we will give an hour-long lesson and carry the Children In Need top-box, which will then be passed on to the next car, and so on."

Organiser Louise Walsh came up with the idea while watching last year's Children In Need, and will take in the entire route as a passenger in the back of each lead car.

She said: "I thought, 'Why aren't we as driving instructors doing something to raise money for such a great cause? Lets do something!

"The task of making this event the reality that it is has only been possible because of the enthusiasm and support from so many instructors. The route has been planned to take in as many places as possible over the two weeks and to involve as many driving instructors and pupils as possible."

Ken said he may even dress up as Pudsey Bear, if it helps raise extra money for the charity.

He said: "I might even do that myself. I'm 58 now, so I've not much time to make an idiot of myself.

"We have got to get people to the website and we're hoping to raise £5,000. I'm confident we will beat that."

To find out more or donate, go to biglearnerrelay.webs.com