Champion in race track challenge

3.15.41pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 28th Jul 2007

Former Formula One World Champion Damon Hill is challenging members of the public to pit their driving skills against his on a remote control track. He is helping to launch an appeal to raise £300,000 for a play centre for disabled children in Farnham, Surrey.

The charity Disability Challengers has already developed the old Park Schools into a youth centre for 800 families and young people up to the age of 25. Now a Victorian building on the site is being converted into the play centre.

The plan is to retain as many original features as possible and open up the main hall into a large play space. There will also be a soft play area and a kitchen and dining room.

"The centre will be the largest inclusive adventure play facility in the UK, and possibly Europe," said a spokesman. "Disability Challengers also believes this model can, and should, be the basis for UK-wide policy and provision for play."

The Damon Hill challenge is taking place at Farnham Waitrose on Friday.