Teenager takes part in blind driving challenge for charity (From York Press)
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Holly Scott-Gardner, 18, takes part in blind driving challenge for Guide Dogs For The Blind
8:56am Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Fundraising fun
By Haydn Lewis, haydn.lewis@thepress.co.uk
Holly Scott-Gardner, of Huntington, who will be undertaking a blind drive to raise money for Guide Dogs For The Blind
A BLIND teenager from York is gearing up to drive a car for the first time to raise money for a guide dogs charity.
Schoolgirl Holly Scott-Gardner, 18, of Pinewood Grove, Huntington, is in the sixth form at Huntington School and has been blind since birth.
On June 10 she will be taking part in a blind driving challenge to raise money for Guide Dogs For The Blind, a charity close to her heart as currently she is on the waiting list for a guide dog.
The drive will be round a track in Sunderland with an instructor giving her constant directions to keep her on the road.
Holly will be one of a number of visually impaired people taking part on the day, along with blindfolded sighted drivers.
She said: “I have been blind since birth so I will never be able to drive and this seemed like a great opportunity to have a go.
“I’m not really daunted by it, I can’t wait really. I am currently in the process of applying for a guide dog and would like to give something back to the charity and that’s the main reason I’m taking part.”
Currently Holly uses a long cane to get around, but admits it has its limitations especially when she is out and about in town.
She said: “The cane is fine, but when you go shopping it means that people often stand on it or trip over it.
“I’m starting York College in September and I’m hoping to get a guide dog this summer. Having a guide dog is going to completely change my life. It will enable me to be more independent and have a more active role within the community. I’m hoping to raise over £500 for the charity, as it costs about £50,000 to train and support a guide dog during the course of it’s life.
“Guide dogs give people with visual impairments freedom to live a full life. They rely on donations and fundraising and so the more money I raise the better.
“Please give whatever you can.
No matter how small, every donation is appreciated.”
To sponsor Holly go to www.justgiving.com/blinddrive
