'Fantastic' moment blind Abergavenny veteran, 95, drives again

A 95 year-old veteran has spoken of his joy at driving again, five years after he was registered blind and had to give up his licence.

Jim Alison, from Abergavenny, raced around Llandow Circuit in the Vale of the Glamorgan as part of a charity event which helps people with disabilities to experience driving.

"I think I managed to get to 90 km/ph (55mph)," said Jim, a former chauffeur, who drove alongside an instructor with dual controls.

"You put your life in their hands and it was absolutely fantastic," added Jim, who served with the Royal Engineers for 22 years before becoming a driver in London.

"They let me take over for a while going down the straight because, being sight impaired, I couldn't see the bends. "

He said he never thought he would be able to drive again after his eyesight deteriorated due to macular degeneration.

Jim was part of a group from Blind Veterans UK who took part in the Speed of Sight event at the circuit near Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

The event allows people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the thrill of driving.

Harley, 14, who has a visual impairment, went around the track for a second time, having first done so when he was 10.

"It's like happiness, excitement, wonder - it all goes through your mind in a blur because, literally, you're going so fast."

He said it was a "good experience" for disabled children and adults, particularly those who love motorsports.

"You get a rush of adrenaline and you just feel really excited."

Speed of Sight is a charity founded by Mike Newman, a motorsports fan who was born blind and told his dreams of being a racing driver were impossible.

But that did not stop him, going on to secure a number of world records for driving and in 2012 he set up his charity, a response to the many people he met who missed driving after having to give up their licences.

"Because I love cars so much myself, I tried to think of an idea of how we could get behind the wheel again and make it fun and exciting," said Mike.

"It opens up the opportunities of complete enjoyment, forgetting the day-to-day challenges that you're having to having to cope with.

"Or, if I can drive a car on a racetrack, what other things can be enjoyed."

The cars used are modified Maxda MX5s with dual controls with names like Stanton and Baxter, a nod to some of the guide dogs which have lived with Mike over the years.

Many of the participants are what the instructors jokingly call "repeat offenders", including Dean Twaite from Tredegar who drove army vehicles as a member of Royal Corps of Transport in the 1970s and 1980s.

Dean, 68, lost his sight in an industrial accident and has not had a driving licence since 2007.

"It was a bit frightening because I can't see in front of me. But the instructors, they were marvellous," said Dean, who explained he was given one tap on the leg to speed up and two to brake.

"Feeling the wind in the face like that was exhilarating - it was really great, really great," added Dean, who said the experience brought back a freedom and confidence he couldn't describe

"There's no such thing as can't. If you put your mind to it, you can do it."

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