'Making the impossible possible'- meet the duo helping blind people drive

Speed of Sight is the brainchild of John Galloway and Mike Newman, a man who has broken land and water speed records and driven at more than 200mph despite being blind from birth.

The charity, based at the Outer Space Storage Centre, in Stone Hill Road, Farnworth, creates tracks days and events for people who would not normally be allowed to drive.

The cars used by the group have twin controls for a driver and an instructor but Mr Newman says drivers are encouraged to do "as much as they're able" on specially made course.

Since launching in 2012, the charity has had success, with increasing numbers of people coming to events.

"We're getting more and more people coming back to have another go because they find it so exhilarating and exciting," Mr Newman said.

"They realise their life doesn't have to stop, which is a big moment for people who have been struck down with the kind of things every day people have to deal with."

In spite of being born blind, Mr Newman had always wanted to be a racing driver and his ambition drove him to break the landspeed record for a blind person on a motorbike, travelling 89mph unaided in 2001.

This was only the beginning of his record-breaking career, he would go on to break other blind landspeed records, doing 144mph in a car in 2003, 176mph in 2005, 186mph in 2013 and finally 204mph in Nissan GTR in 2014. On each occasion he drove the car by himself.

In addition, he held the blind water speed record of 93mph and in 2011 broke an aerial record for the most loop-de-loops in an aircraft.

It was during this time that he met many of the people who he would go on to help.

"In those years I met a lot of people who had become disabled in adult life," he said.

"They had their licences taken and couldn't drive anymore, it was one of the things they were most after losing their sight."

Mr Galloway, who co-founded Speed of Sight, explained that many people the charity work with have been surprised by a shock injury or illness.

He said: "You might be driving one day and after accident you can't the next, it's heartbreaking.

"You might think its just a bit of fun in the car but it's life changing.

"They are forgetting the things they have to deal with and living in the moment."

The pair recounted the story of a 12-year-old boy living with extreme anxiety who spent most of his young life carrying a cup around, which comforted him.

However, after his experiences at one of Speed of Sight's high-speed driving days, the youngster put the item down and has not needed it since.

He repeatedly returns to the events and says he feels much more comfortable in his.

To find out more, visit: www.speedofsight.org.