Driving ambition
A BLIND woman who successfully drove a car eight miles along a bypass to raise thousands of pounds for charity has vowed to take to the skies for her next adventure. Martine Brooks, from Hawskford Way, St Neots, reached speeds of up to 60mph on the new Gr
A BLIND woman who successfully drove a car eight miles along a bypass to raise thousands of pounds for charity has vowed to take to the skies for her next adventure.
Martine Brooks, from Hawskford Way, St Neots, reached speeds of up to 60mph on the new Great Barford bypass last Tuesday (August 22) afternoon.
The speed and the adrenaline have now got the 56-year-old hooked and she has already started thinking about her next charity challenge: flying a plane or a helicopter.
Following last week's drive, Mrs Brooks, who carried out the challenge three days before the new bypass officially opened, told The Hunts Post: "I loved it and really enjoyed the adrenaline pumping round my body and the speed.
"I finished really quickly as I was driving about 60mph when I should have been driving 40mph but no one complained."
Joining her in the dual-controlled Renault Clio was her friend and navigator, Steve Clarke, the Mayor of Beford Frank Branston and owner of the car, St Neots driving instructor Denise Hubbard.
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Mrs Brooks, who is a teaching assistant at St Neots Community College and a reflexologist, is hoping to reach her £5,000 fundraising target for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, which has supported her for 25 years.
"I would be lost without my guide dog, Gable, and so I wanted to give something back to the charity who have supported me for 25 years. I have raised nearly £1,000 but I'm hoping more money will come in."
She added: "People think I'm mad but if you want to separate people from their money I think you have to do something a bit different and I love a challenge."
Her husband Phil filmed the drive and her 15-year-old son Yon watched it on television.
INFORMATION: To donate to Martine Brooks' driving challenge visit www.gbchallenge.info
