A former police officer with dementia returned to his high-speed car chase roots thanks to a programme offered by his care home.
Steve Howe, 62, enjoyed a 15-year career with Guildford Constabulary, during which time he often took part in pursuits as part of the traffic unit.
Mr Howe is now a resident of Surrey Heights, a specialist dementia care home in Godalming, Surrey, where he delights in recounting staff and fellow residents about his tales of pursing ‘thieves and drunk drivers’.
To help realise Mr Howe’s dream of returning to his high speed heyday, Surrey Heights partnered with Car Chase Heroes, which gives motor heads the chance to drive their favourite film cars.
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Steve Howe, 62, enjoyed a 15-year career with Guildford Constabulary, during which time he often took part in pursuits as part of the traffic unit. He returned to his high-speed heyday with a spin around the track at Dunsfold Airfield, Surrey, in a McLaren 570S, pictured
To help realise Mr Howe’s dream of returning to his high speed heyday, staff at Surrey Heights partnered with Car Chase Heroes, which gives motor heads the chance to drive their favourite film cars. Pictured, Mr Howe giving a thumbs up during his turn on the track
With former supercar driver Daniel Marco at the wheel, Mr Howe was able to have a spin around Dunsfold Airfield, Surrey, in a McLaren 570S.
Mr Howe, affectionately known as Stevie, was delighted with the experience, hailing it ‘brilliant’.
‘It was brilliant, fantastic, and priceless,’ he said. ‘I would love to do it again and again!’
Mr Howe went around the track seven times in the British sports car, which can reach speeds of 204mph and accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds.
Care home worker Shaye Robinson told how the staff had wanted to make a ‘dream come true for Stevie’.
Mr Howe is now a resident of Surrey Heights, a specialist dementia care home in Godalming, Surrey, where he delights in recounting staff and fellow residents about his tales of pursing ‘thieves and drunk drivers’. Pictured, Mr Howe during his police career
She said: ‘He’s always wanted to get back in a fast car, so to be out there on the track helping him to fulfil that dream was incredible.
‘He’s always talking about the high-speed chases he used to have and we used to keep joking with him about chasing thieves or drunk drivers.
‘For him to be able to come out and do something like this is massive, it’ll put a smile on his face and put some excitement back in his life.’
The experience was arranged in collaboration with Car Chase Heroes, founded five years ago by Tom Roche.
Mr Howe went around the track seven times in the British sports car, which can reach speeds of 204mph and accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds
The track experience company owner is also a competitive race driver in the Porsche Series. Car Chase Heroes has a fleet of over 30 vehicles and specialises in American muscle cars, ovie cars and supercars.
Supercar driver Daniel Marco, revealed it was a pleasure to take Steve around the track as a fellow car fanatic.
He said: ‘It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you are, you’re always going to be into cars.’
When Daniel found out about Stevie’s former career in the force, he added: ‘I kind of thought it might pit us against him, considering he’s an ex-pursuit driver!’
Surrey Heights is part of the family-owned CHD Living care home group. It provides residential care to seniors that are diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other related illnesses.