When children at Helen House Hospice were told they were going to spend a day at the Silverstone Rally School, a look of disbelief came over their faces, writes Victoria Owen.

But that look was soon replaced by the broadest of grins and shrieks of delight as they were each taken on a thrilling roller-coaster ride in a high-powered rally car.

Thanks to drivers at the Northamptonshire rally school and staff from Oxford's Helen House Hospice, ten children were able to enjoy a much-needed diversion from their daily routines.

The children, many of whom suffer from illnesses which include genetic disorders and cancer, and their families revelled in the day out, when they had the chance to taste the excitement of rallying. When they arrived at the rally school next to the world famous home to Formula One's British Grand Prix, they donned overalls and crash helmets before being strapped into the passenger seat of one of the rally cars.

Wantage rally driver Tim Green, whose Proton car is sponsored by the Oxford Mail, invited the youngsters at Helen House to enjoy the thrills and spills of rallying.

Hospice public relations officer Catherine Wilson said the children had a great time.

She said: "It was wonderful to see children who can't walk sitting in the cars and being taken around the rally track. It was a day when they could be their own age and be children again and forget their sadness.

"Tim very kindly gave up his Sunday and asked the rally school to host the day out and the children all had a wonderful time."

Story date: Saturday 19 February

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