The Great Barford Driving Challenge 2006
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On 22nd August 2006 at 6:30 pm, Martine Brooks, a blind woman from St Neots, will be driving along the new Great Barford Bypass in Bedfordshire to raise money for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
At any one time the Association supports about 5,000 guide dogs in the UK.
Every year they breed over 1,000 guide dog puppies, some of which go on to become brood bitches and stud dogs..
It costs the Association around £10 per day (raised through voluntary donations) to breed, train and care for each guide dog.
The working life of a guide dog is about seven years and many guide dog owners have several dogs during their lifetime.
This year, GDBA are celebrating their 75th anniversary.
How Do They Do That
Martine and her driving instructor, Steve, have developed a method of communication, whereby Steve can tell Martine how fast to go, and how much to turn, and Martine drives the car, estimating the speed from the selected gear, and the sound of the engine.
Instruction Examples:
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Instruction |
Meaning |
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Left 2 |
Left Turn, Held for 2 Seconds |
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Tight Left 1 |
A Tighter Left Turn, Held for 1 Second |
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Hold Left |
A Rolling Left Turn, Held Wheel |
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On / Off |
Adjustments to Rolling Turn to Maintain Course |
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90 Degree Left Turn |
Just as it says, a 90 Degree Left Turn |
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3 Point Turn |
Again, Just as it says |
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Accelerate to 40 Mph |
Again, Just as it says |
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Stop Stop Stop |
Emergency Stop, practiced, but never needed |
Media
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Weds 12th July 2006, Hunts Post (p8)
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Sun16th July 2006, Beds on Sunday
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Mon 24th July, 3 Counties Radio
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Tue 25th July, BBC Look East
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Weds 26th July, Chiltern FM
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Thu 27th July, Cambridge Evening News
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Thu 3rd Aug, St. Neots Weekly News
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Tue 8th Aug, Daily Mirror 'Blind Ambition'
Videos
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Guide Dogs (Feb 2006, wmv, 3Mb)
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Navigation (July 2006, wmv, 5Mb)
Pictures
Look Out
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The Little Chef at the Black Cat Roundabout on the A1, on Sunday, will be hosting a Guide Dogs for the Blind Charity Day - please pay them a visit ! |
How to Make A Donation
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By cash, or cheque made out to "Martine Brooks Driving Challenge". |
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by bank transfer to the Martine Brooks Driving Challenge bank account at Barclays, St. Neots: 20-74-81 70822183. |
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in person at Barclays, St. Neots or Barclays, Bedford "Martine Brooks Driving Challenge" account (Remember to ask about Gift Aid). |
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and at Fishers, Waitrose (baskets only counter) or Barrets in St Neots. or at the Little Chef, Black Cat. |
Guestbook
View or Sign our Guestbook (click here)
About Martine
Martine has been a guide dog owner for 25 years and has owned four guide dogs. She has done many events in the past to help raise funds for Guide Dogs, including a parachute jump in 1987, and a walk around Rutland Water in 2004.
About Gable
Gable is a nine year old flat coat retriever. He has been with Martine since he was 19 months old. He loves his work and the fuss he gets whenever Martine is out and about.
About Steve
Steve is an aerospace engineer who enjoys paragliding and as a consequence likes to take his life into his own hands and which is why he talked Martine into learning to drive and taking up this challenge.
Supported By
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Denise Hubbard, Drive aHead, St Neots
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The Highways Agency
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Edmund Nuttall Ltd.
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Guidedogs for the Blind
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St Neots Guide Dogs Fundraising
Branch (Ruth, Arthur and Sally) -
Phil Brooks
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Barclays Bank plc, Eastern Region
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EADS Astrium Ltd.
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Ross Francis, South Beds News
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Special thanks to Peter
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