4:06pm Tuesday 18th May 2010
By Elizabeth Pears
A MOTHER-OF-FOUR raising her brood on her own is mapping out a better future for her family by becoming one of the few female black cab drivers in London.
Samantha Dillion, 43, of Haringey Park, Hornsey, whose children are aged between 11 and 17, faced the all-too familiar problem of finding a job with flexible hours to enable her to be a hands-on mum and a breadwinner.
But thanks to a special grant, Miss Dillon, is now studying the Knowledge – the test all drivers must pass in order to become a bonafide cabbie.
It involves learning the entire map of London and spends up to 16 hours a week learning new routes.
She said: "The freedom is what appealed to me the most.
"If the children needed me, I could just stop work and go and be with them. That was the biggest difficulty for me to get back into work or any kind of training - because I’m on my own with the children, and their needs come first."
Miss Dillon was awarded £1,495 from the Barclaycard Horizons Your Education fund, through the Family Action charity, which helped turn her dream into reality.
Family Action helps single parents, male or female, by covering costs including childcare and travel if they return to education. It has handed out more than £1million of grants since being founded. "The Horizons funding has been a godsend," the dedicate mother said.
"I wouldn’t have been able to go to the Knowledge Point School without it. I was finding it a real struggle; now I don’t have to worry if there’s a book or materials that I need, which means I can concentrate on the studies."
She has now already passed her map test, and says the course has reignited her passion for the capital.
She added: "I’ve lived in London my whole life, and I’m having a total love affair with London at the minute. The thought of driving my cab every day - I can’t think of anything nicer. Every day will be different, which really appeals to me."
"We’re all going to benefit. It’s a long-term thing and such an achievement. After many years of looking after the children I’m now having a new lease of life. I’m the kids’ mum always, but I’m Sam now as well. My children can see me independent, and they can see that if I can go back and study, they can do anything, and they’ll never be able to come to me and say 'I can’t do that, it’s too hard'.
"It’s a great lesson for them."
Family Action chief executive Helen Dent CBE said: "Working with Barclaycard to deliver the Horizons Your Education programme enables us to help thousands of lone parents and their children have a brighter and more secure future. We are very happy indeed to be supporting these inspirational parents to achieve their goals."
Out of all black cab drivers, approximately only five per cent are women.
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