Two thrill-seeking widows in their 80s have fulfilled their need for speed – by roaring round a rally racetrack like Lewis Hamilton. Mavis Needham, 85, and Margaret Brown, 89, spent an afternoon at Langley Park Rally School, in Essex, where they were driven at speeds of up to 70mph, taking part in hairpin turns, drifting and doughnuts.
The grandmothers both saw their lifelong speed dreams come true thanks to staff at Care UK’s Mountfitchet House on Coltsfield, near Stansted, and were left beaming from ear to ear throughout the circuits. Margaret told us: “I used to watch Formula 1 with my husband and couldn’t believe how fast they drove! My family always used to say that I drove too fast in my car, so I wanted to sit in a fast car again.”
While excited Mavis gushed: “I wanted to tick rally driving off my bucket list – and I’d do it again if I could.”
After calming down following her spins, Mavis added: “I wouldn’t have missed that for the world. It was absolutely amazing. I’d do that over and over again!”
The rally school team was so touched by the residents’ visit that it donated to Race Against Dementia, a charity that raises funds to support pioneering dementia research and for which Care UK is currently fundraising.
The pair hung their wish to race around the track on the Mountfitchet House Wishing Tree, a special Care UK initiative that enables residents to revisit old hobbies and passions or try something new.
The Care UK team try to make wishes come true by organising events from fish and chip suppers, to skydives or watching the team they have supported all their life.
Joanna Duke, Home Manager at Mountfitchet House, said: “We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to bring memorable experiences to residents’ lives – and this one certainly ticked all the boxes.
“It was fantastic to see Mavis and Margaret enjoying themselves and stepping outside their comfort zones.
“At Mountfitchet House, we believe it’s never too late to try something new, and experiences like this are a great way to bring joy, laughter and a real sense of adventure.”