Episode 14

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Published on:

15th Nov 2023

BLR Choir 2023 ~ In Memory of Lou Walsh

Every year the BLR Choir record a soundtrack song for the Big Learner Relay to support driving instructors across the UK raising £100,000s for Children in Need. This year we lost the founder and inspiration Louise Walsh, who died suddenly in August. We assembled not just to recognise the relay, but to honour our friend and colleague who will be sadly missed and long remembered.

With lyrics in hand, written by Chris Bensted, we met at The Lantern Theatre, in The Mountbatten School, who were kind enough to support the event. Special thanks to Gordon Clark and Simon Newton who worked wonders providing music and mastering our untrained but enthusiastic voices. The day was made extra special with Lou's husband, eldest two children, sisters, their partners and friends joining the clutch of instructors behind the mics.

We invite you to listen. To reflect on the amazing achievements Lou has inspired. To celebrate all our memories. And to donate to the last Big Learner Relay for Children in Need. Visit https://www.biglearnerrelay.co.uk or donate by text, simply text PASS and your donation to 70085. E.g PASS10 to donate £10 (T&Cs on the website)

To all the choir members over the last 7 years, it has been an honour and a privilege to hear you breathe life into the relay journey. Thank you all for everything you have done.

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About the Podcast

Big Learner Relay Pudcast
BLR
The Big Learner Relay is an annual event involving 100's of Driving Instructors and pupils raising money for BBC Children in Need.

Nine years ago while watching 'Children in Need' Lou Walsh thought 'Why aren't us driving instructors doing something to raise money for such a great cause? - Let's do something! How about a Big Learner Relay?! We could relay a top box (the kind that driving instructors have on the roof of their cars) from one driving lesson to another around the country!?'
Well, to cut a long story short in 2014 we travelled over 2500 miles from lesson to lesson and raised over £65,000 and in 2015 we went even bigger, travelling nearly 3000 miles and raised a whopping £99,850 for Children in Need. This makes us the biggest group fundraiser since Children in Need began. We have continued to fund raise through the relay each year and even having to cancel all of our plans in 2020 due to the pandemic, but we have kept going. We are very proud.

Will you be fundraising or donating to such a good cause?
We hope so!
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Terry Cook