LADIES
SHOW GOOD PROSPECTS FOR DRIVING CHALLENGE
Royal Air Force Lyneham
www.raf.mod.uk/raflyneham
8th October 2006
On 8 October 2006, 150 women from across Wiltshire got themselves
into gear for the Prospect Hospice Ladies Driving Challenge,
intending to show the boys what they are really made of.
The challenge was held at RAF Lyneham and teams of four women
took their turns in the drivers seat of vehicles including
arctic trucks, 4x4s, double-decker buses, road sweepers and
a milk float. Even the Mayoress of Swindon, Mrs Joyce Bawden,
attended the event and took her turn behind the wheel.
The Mayoress said ” This is absolutely fantastic a
great opportunity for all the women involved” The Mayor
agreed and was even brave enough to sit beside his wife in
the 4x4 challenge. He said “ My wife is a very good
driver and is a lot faster than me. It will be an experience
she will live off for the next few years.”
All the women were certainly coming off the vehicles with
smiling faces.
Kerry Davidson, 32, a catering Manager from North Swindon
said, “ This is such a good day, we’re having
great fun driving vehicles we wouldn’t normally get
to drive. The instructors are really friendly and don’t
make you feel stupid.”
The event was organised by Caroline Lyon, Community Fundraiser
at Prospect Hospice and Squadron Leader Rob Gratton, Senior
Air Traffic Control Officer. Caroline said, “ We are
overwhelmed by the support of staff at RAF Lyneham. So many
people have given up their precious spare time to help out
including the drivers and the Junior Ranks and Sgt’s
Mess who provided refreshments for all the ladies.”
“It was good to see all the ladies all so enthusiastic
and embracing the challenge. The day was certainly a success.
The event took place in two sessions, one in the morning and
one in the afternoon. Everyone taking part had to raise a
minimum sponsorship of £100, but most beat the target
and some even raised over £800 between their teams meaning
the Prospect Hospice would receive over £15000 in donations
to help those with cancer in their care.
Caroline added, "I’ve seen lots of smiling faces
and all the ladies have been having a lot of fun." This
is the first event of its kind at Lyneham and after its success,
Squadron Leader Gratton, who also works with Caroline’s
husband is keen to do it again.
He said "This is a charity that lies close to many people’s
hearts. It has been great fun seeing the ladies get so much
out of this challenge and a sense of achievement for us at
Lyneham to see the event run so smoothly on the base. Lyneham
is such a big part of the local community and its great for
us to get involved and give something back to those that support
us so well."
Squadron Leader Gratton also added, “I couldn’t
have organised this event without such a strong team of helpers
behind me. Many of my Squadron got involved to help drive
the ladies around the airfield, but a special mention goes
to Flight Lieutenant Dave Harper, Officer Commanding Work
Services, who spent an awful lot of his personal time ensuring
this day ran smoothly and all the facilities were ready for
the challenges that lay ahead.” |
