Damian Bridgeman Joins Speed of Sight Charity as Ambassador

Vale of Glamorgan, Wales – August 2024

Speed Of Sight, the pioneering UK charity dedicated to providing driving experiences for individuals with disabilities, proudly announces the appointment of Damian Bridgeman as an ambassador. Damian, a leading advocate for disability rights and inclusivity, brings a deeply personal connection to the charity's mission, inspired by his own family's experience with sight loss. Speed Of Sight, co-founded by Mike Newman and John Galloway, has made significant strides in creating accessible driving opportunities for people with a range of disabilities. The charity’s specially designed vehicles, equipped with dual controls and twin steering wheels, enable individuals who are often excluded from such experiences to enjoy the thrill of driving. The charity has now been hosting track days for 12 years, in which time it has changed hundreds of lives during the nearly 100 track days it has put on so far. Damian Bridgeman is a prominent figure in public life, known for his extensive work in healthcare, social care, and disability advocacy. Living with cerebral palsy and dyslexia, Damian has dedicated his career to promoting the social model of disability, which emphasises the need for societal adaptation to foster inclusivity. His contributions have been instrumental in shaping key legislative reforms, such as the Social Services and Well-being Act (2014) and the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act (2016). In addition to his advisory roles, Damian serves as a Non-Executive Director with a diverse portfolio, Co-Director of the Purple Pound Foundation, and a bestselling author. His advocacy work is further amplified by his role as a top media voice in healthcare and personalised social care. Damian's appointment as an ambassador for Speed Of Sight holds particular significance due to his personal connection to sight loss, which affects several members of his family. This connection has deepened his commitment to supporting the charity’s mission. "Joining Speed Of Sight as an ambassador is a profound honor, especially given my family’s own experiences with sight loss," said Damian Bridgeman. "This charity embodies the belief that everyone deserves the chance to experience life’s joys to the fullest, regardless of physical or sensory limitations. I look forward to working closely with Mike Newman and the entire Speed Of Sight team to expand these incredible opportunities and inspire more people to push beyond the boundaries society often places on them." Mike Newman commented: “We are thrilled to have Damian join our Speed Of Sight family, he’s an incredible person who really understands our charity and the joy we give to people. Damian has done so much for people who have disabilities, and by getting involved with our charity, he’s doing even more! “We created this charity because we believe that no disability should get in the way of having the incredible experience of driving a car, which is why, when I was told I would not be able to because I have been blind since birth, I decided to become the fastest blind man – on land, water and in the air! “I did not let my disability stop me and it has changed my life, and that’s what we are trying to bring to every person who has a disability and has been told they cannot do something that is so normal for everyone else. “Sometimes we have people who attend our track days who don’t realise that they’ll actually be able to drive the cars themselves, but when we get them in the seat and tell them how to use the pedals and steering wheel, their faces just light up and they get so excited – it really does amaze me that we’re able to provide that joy to people.” With Damian Bridgeman’s involvement, Speed of Sight is poised to enhance its outreach and impact, providing more individuals with life-changing experiences and continuing to challenge societal limitations.