Newslink September 2023

News
Obituary
Lou Walsh: A beacon of light, an inspirational
character, and a great friend to ADIs everywhere
Louise Walsh, ADI and organiser of
the Big Learner Relay for BBC’s
Children in Need, died last month.
Here MSA GB pays tribute to a
remarkable woman
Many MSA GB members will have been
saddened by the news that Hampshirebased
ADI Louise Walsh - known to all as Lou
– died on 25th August, after suffering from a
brain haemorrhage. She was just 50 years
old.
Lou was a renowned ADI in her part of the
world, with an excellent track record of
teaching driving to all, as well as inspiring and
guiding scores of would-be instructors
through their ADI qualifications.
However, it will be her work organising the
Big Learner Relay for Children in Need that
she will be best remembered.
Many will recall that when the event was
held last year Lou announced that this year’s
would be its final one, and she encouraged
everyone to get involved and see it off in
style as it reached its 10th anniversary.
Sadly that wasn’t to be, and unsurprisingly,
the planned BLR for later this year has been
cancelled.
Lou was the ideal person to take on
something as challenging as co-ordinating
hundreds of ADIs to raise cash for Children in
Need. She was a warm, fun, bubbly character
with a big heart and giving nature. Every time
she contacted MSA GB to ask us to plug the
BLR we did so willingly; she was so
enthusiastic about the cause, she was a hard
woman to turn down. Her goal was one we
could all do with emulating; she wanted to
make the world a better place, and saw the
BLR as the ideal vehicle to do so.
Over the years the ADI relay raised
hundreds of thousands for the popular BBC
charity. It saw ADIs holding a ‘normal’ lesson
with a pupil while carrying the unique Big
Learner Relay headerboard, often in cars
festooned in Pudsey figures and spots,
passing on the headerboard to the next ADI in
the chain at the end of the lesson. It started
in the far north of Scotland, finishing in the
south-east of England with a giant rally of
participating instructors at a race track. The
Lou, with Pudsey from BBC’s Children in Need.
party that wrapped things up afterwards was
always memorable!
Last year saw 142 instructors act as lead
car instructor, stopping at 154 locations over
the 13 days. 64 cars took part in the grand
finale rally at Goodwood Motor circuit.
A highlight for Lou was when she received
a note from the then Prime Minister, Theresa
May, in praise of her efforts. Mrs May wrote:
“By founding The Big Learner Relay you have
not only raised £250,000 in vital support for
disadvantaged children, but also created a
vibrant community of volunteers.
“You should feel an extraordinary sense of
achievement in co-ordinating a relay that
covers over 3,000 miles in 15 days, and for
bringing together people from all corners of
the UK for an entertaining fundraising event.”
Other members of the driver training and
testing community have paid tribute. MSA GB
said: “For all those who had the pleasure and
privilege of meeting her (and working with
her), Lou was an inspirational trainer,
passionate and dedicated to both supporting
and improving the training of drivers and
driver trainers, as well as improving road
safety overall.”
President of the ADINJC, Lynne Barrie,
posted this tribute: “I am deeply saddened to
hear the tragic news of the passing of Louise
Walsh. She was always smiling and bringing
joy to people. She was an excellent trainer
and always wanted to help people. Her
dedication and hard work with the Big
Learner Relay will be remembered forever.
She managed to get PDIs and ADIs working
together for a great cause.
“Rest in peace Louise, you were an
inspirational lady and we will never forget
you.”
Lou Walsh will be remembered as a leading
light in the driver training industry. She was
an excellent driver trainer but she was so
much than that: Lou was someone who left a
powerful legacy that one person can make a
difference to the lives of many others.
MSA GB sends its deepest condolences to
her husband Blaine, her children and wider
family at this difficult time.
Louise Walsh, 1973-2023. RIP
10 NEWSLINK n SEPTEMBER 2023