MORAY RESIDENTS WHO live with blindness, are partially sighted or deaf are being offered the chance to experience driving a car.
The opportunity is being offered by the Moray Academy of Transport Training at their ‘Moray Skid Car Experience’ day on August 29 at the Milltown Airfield from 10am to 4pm.
A fully licensed and experienced skid car driver will accompany those taking part on a day that has a host of attractions for all the family. Staff from the Elgin Fire Station will also be present with a crew demonstrating how they free injured motorists and passengers after a road accident.
Vintage trucks, tractors and cars will also be on show with their owners in with a chance of winning a prize.
The event will help raise funds for North East Sensory Services (NESS). NESS fundraising assistant Bruce Cruickshank explained: “For me, not being able to drive was a particularly hard blow when I lost my sight. It was a big adjustment as driving used to be such a big part of my life.
“That’s why I am really keen to host the skid car day, as it lets people who would not normally be able to drive experience that feeling of freedom when you get behind the wheel.
“It can be quite an emotional experience to get in the car after losing the ability to be able to drive due to sight loss, and that is why this event is so important, as it lets people drive again – but in a safe and controlled environment.
“There is only a limited number of places on the day, so I would encourage anyone who fancies giving driving a go, to get in touch as soon as possible.”
Prices on the day for a drive in the skid car will be £15 for people who have a sensory impairment and £25 for non-sensory impaired people. There is an entry fee of £5 for anyone who wishes to bring along vintage vehicles – registration beforehand is necessary.
To register owners are asked to contact moray@nesensoryservices.org or call 0845 27 12345 – the same contact details can be used for general information on the event.