Blind speed king aiming to open new centre
A CHARITY which provides life-changing driving experiences for people with disabilties has teamed up with Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub as it seeks to open its own centre.
Speed of Sight offers a unique opportunity for disabled people of all ages to experience the thrill of motorsports, where participants can drive specially designed vehicles with dual controls around a racetrack.
Experience days currently take place at a range of suitable venues across the country.
The charity was founded by Mike Newman, a six time Guinness World Record holder.
He is the fastest blind man on the planet on both land and water, and also gained a world acrobatic record in 2011 for flying the most consecutive loop-de-loops.
He is patron of Vision Charity and ambassador for Henshaws Society for the Blind, as well as representing Guide Dogs for the Blind, Action for Blind People, and Children’s Cancer Trust.
Speed of Sight grew out of a combination of Mike’s thrill for speed and his determination to promote equality of opportunities for all.
The charity approached the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub with the hope of growing its workforce and securing funding. The support will culminate in Speed of Sight being able to open its own centre at Swinton in Salford with a custom-built track in the near future.
John Galloway, head of fundraising and commercial development at Speed of Sight, said: “The support from the team at Business Growth Hub has been exceptional and we are already taking the first steps towards opening our new site. It is a very exciting time for our charity and our continued partnership with Business Growth Hub will allow us to extend our experience to more and more disabled people across the UK.”
Nicola Warwick, mentoring adviser at Business Growth Hub, said: “Speed of Sight provides such a valuable service to those who are unable to experience driving, and it is fantastic to be able to provide them with the support they need to get their business moving. We strongly endorse the firm’s additional aim of promoting positive awareness around disability, and we look forward to our continued relationship with Speed of Sight as they expand the business, through bringing on new staff and increasing turnover, as well as securing that all-important new site.”
