ELDERLY residents from an East Renfrewshire care home felt the need for speed as they enjoyed a day out on go-karts.

The pensioners, aged between 77 and 101, made the short trip to The Experience, in Hillington Park, where they were handed the chance to whizz round the track.

The unusual treat was organised by the team at Whitecraigs Care Home, in Thornliebank, as part of the Accessible Karting programme.

READ MORE: Barrhead High School urges pupils to claim lost property​

Among those taking part was Percy Mann, who turns 102 later this month, and 95-year-old Ellen Robb.

She said: “I would give everything a try once and I’m glad I got the chance to go on the go-karts.

“I kept telling them to go faster, it was great.

“I can’t wait to tell my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all about it.

“I hope that it inspires them to be brave and embrace every opportunity.”
Staff at the care home, run by Renaissance Care, are keen to encourage residents to step outside their comfort zone.

Amanda Randou, activities co-ordinator at Whitecraigs, said: “We’re always shocked, and very impressed, by the kind of activities that residents are willing to try.

“We get requests within the care home to take part in things like zip-lining and skydiving and we try to accommodate as much as we can.

“It was great to be able to send them out on the go-karts, knowing they will have a great time in a safe environment, and I’m thrilled with their response.

“They had a great day and I’m sure we’ll be back.”

READ MORE: Successful appeal breathes new life into funeral parlour proposals ​

The pensioners were driven round the track in side-by-side or tandem machines at The Experience, which is Scotland’s only electric go-karting arena.

The Accessible Karting initiative allows people with limited mobility or additional support needs the chance to whizz round a go-karting track at high speeds – something many of them never thought possible.

The programme is popular with children and young adults. Some of the regular customers at The Experience are paralysed, have severe autism, are blind, have learning difficulties or live with a number of other support needs.

To find out more about the go-karting sessions, visit HERE.