A record £5,231 was raised for charity at the Intelligent Instructor Awards and Convention 2026.

Speed of Sight was the worthy recipient, and the money will help provide more opportunities for people with disabilities to experience the thrill of driving. 

Moreover, there is another opportunity for you to help raise funds and support the charity through the Miles for Smiles campaign

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More winners

The 2026 Intelligent Instructor Awards Gala Evening and Driving Instructor Convention 2026 have been hailed a resounding success after a record £5,231 was raised for charity over the weekend.

Funds were collected in support of Speed of Sight through a combination of a charity auction and raffle held during the Gala Dinner, alongside a popular tombola staged at the Convention.

Organisers confirmed this year’s total marks the highest amount ever raised across the two flagship industry events.

The fundraising effort drew strong support from across the driver training sector, with a wide range of organisations generously donating prizes. Contributors included Auto Trader, Road Angel, He-Man, ADINJC, ADI Network, Well Informed, Total Drive, Knowledgeable Instructor Training, Adrian Flux, Auto Pilot Systems and Young Driver.

A standout moment of the evening came during the charity auction, where the team at Dash Instructor Cover made headlines by spending nearly £2,000 on a personalised number plate and an iPad.

Raising and praising

Beyond the fundraising total, organisers emphasised the tangible impact the money will have.

In a message shared following the event, Tina Cassady of ADINJC relayed thanks from Speed of Sight founder Mike Newman, confirming that the funds will be used to purchase two new specialist hoists.

Currently, the charity relies on a modified hoist system that requires cars to be partially lifted using wooden blocks to allow access, an approach that can be awkward and uncomfortable for participants.

The new hoists will be purpose-built for adapted vehicles, improving both safety and comfort.

Having two hoists will also allow volunteers to assist multiple participants more efficiently, significantly reducing waiting times and enhancing the overall experience.

Both the charity and the event organisers praised the generosity of attendees and sponsors, noting that the success of the fundraising reflects the strong community spirit within the driver training industry.

With record-breaking support and clear benefits for a vital charity, this year’s Gala Evening and Convention have set a new benchmark for future events.

 

And there’s more…

A marathon would be an incredible challenge for most of us, and completing one would be an amazing achievement.

But imagine running three full marathons, five half marathons, along with a number of other significant runs, all in all, totalling 204 miles in just 12 months! 

This is the ‘Miles for Smiles’ challenge being undertaken by Jonny Greaves, a Driving Instructor from Nuneaton. 

Already this year, Jonny has flown to Barcelona and completed his first marathon, plus two half marathons. 

After sustaining injuries whilst running his last event, Jonny has been in recovery, working hard in the gym and pacing himself with smaller, slower runs.

However, he’s on track for his next event: he will be running the Edinburgh Marathon and, later in the year, flying to Chicago for the Chicago Marathon.

Sharing the achievement

Not only has Jonny taken on the challenge of running 204 miles, but he is also raising money for an incredible charity, Speed of Sight. 

Speed of Sight began with a dream; the man behind it all is Mike Newman, who was born blind. 

Mike dreamed of becoming a racing driver, and it was this drive to get behind the wheel that began his journey to bring Speed of Sight to the track, providing life-changing driving experiences for those who are differently-abled. 

The money Jonny Greaves raises will go toward giving more people a chance to drive a car, something they may never have thought possible. 

Beyond giving them the thrill of being in control of a car, an experience they will never forget, it is a fantastic vehicle for building self-belief and confidence in participants.

Your support is crucial

Each experience costs £100 to deliver, and Johnny hopes to raise enough to fund 100 sessions. 

 That equates to a whopping £10,000 goal!

Please support Johnny and all those who will benefit from his extraordinary efforts by visiting the dedicated fundraiser page here.

Promoting: Share with your customers, friends and family

Sponsor: As an individual or a company.  You can join a commercial donation package, and not only will you be supporting people with disabilities to experience the thrill of driving, but you will also have your business logo featured on Johnny’s website donation page and across Johnny’s 204 Miles for Smiles social media platforms. 

You can do this directly on the fundraising page via Johnny’s driving school website www.jgdrive.co.uk

Social media: To follow Johnny’s journey and donate, please visit his website, Facebook or Instagram pages. 

Why not go along and cheer Jonny on at one of his runs, or at one of the listed events, and support this outstanding effort for such a well-deserving charity – Speed of Sight