DRIVING instructors across the country are uniting in the aid of Children in Need this month.

The 'Big Learner Relay' is a scheme where a Children in Need roof box is being relayed across the country by driving instructors and their pupils during driving lessons, with each instructor coming up with unique ways to raise funds.

The relay began on October 24 in Jersey, before making it's way through Northern Ireland and now it's currently making it's way through England, entering Hampshire on Thursday November 14 with lead drivers taking on the box for hour sessions throughout the day.

Eastleigh driving instructor James McClafferty is taking part in the relay between 1pm until 2pm on November 14 as he takes the box from a Tesco Extra, Bursledon to a Holiday Inn in Winchester.

He said: "I am lucky enough to be the lead driver for a local leg and I am really looking forward to it! I am really excited because I have wanted to do it for a few years now, and now I get the chance."

This is the scheme's sixth year, with over £400,000 pounds raised for Children in Need through various fundraisers such as sponsored lessons, fancy dress lessons and car washes.

The biggest fundraiser the Big Learner Relay run is 'Sponsor a spot', where people can find the instructor's cars across the UK and donate money to sign a coloured spot which is stuck on the side of the cars, and alternatively, people can donate online at https://appeal.donr.com/moon.

Hampshire driving instructor Louise Walsh, the inspiration behind the scheme is covering the entire 3000 mile relay across the UK in the back of each lead driver's car.

She said: "I am so looking forward to meeting the hundreds of participating instructors, taking photos and cheering the convoy on!"

The grand final will be held on the 2019 Children in Need Appeal day on Friday November 15 at the National Space Centre in Leicester.

For more information, visit www.biglearnerrelay.co.uk.