Tradeteam’s Kevin Cole with one of the ladies who took part.
The UK’s leading drinks logistics provider Tradeteam has teamed up with Marie Curie Cancer Care to help make the charity’s annual Ladies’ Driving Challenge a success.
Tradeteam supplied a 44 tonne Volvo FH13 tractor unit complete with double deck trailer for the fundraising event held at Exeter’s Westpoint Arena.
More than 160 women tested their driving skills as they put themselves behind the wheel of a range of demanding vehicles which included HGVs, giant diggers, buses, fire engines and police cars.
Kevin Cole, Tradeteam’s Driver Training and Health and Safety coordinator for the South West, South East and Primary was on hand throughout the day to provide expert driving instruction.
In the lead up to the big day Kevin, who is a DSA-qualified LGV driving instructor, also spent his own time promoting the event with Marie Curie’s local fundraising team in Exeter city centre.
The 480bhp truck proved a big hit with 30 ladies getting behind the steering wheel to complete the showground’s course.
Kevin Cole said: “It’s the second year in a row that I have been involved in Marie Curie’s Ladies Driving Challenge. It’s such a memorable and fun day. The ladies always love driving the truck; few have even seen a vehicle of this size close up before so it’s quite an experience for them.”
Brooke Brownlowe, Marie Curie’s Regional Events Fundraiser, said: “The day was a huge success and we have had excellent feedback from the ladies saying how much they enjoyed the day and how helpful Kevin was.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to Tradeteam for supporting this event and helping us to raise £22,000 to date. This money equates to 1,100 hours of care for cancer patients and their families and will make a tremendous difference to so many lives.”
Claire Caron, the first lady of the day to drive the Tradeteam truck under Kevin’s instruction said: “I found the drive in the truck to be one of my most memorable drives. To be given an opportunity to be able to drive a vehicle of that size was very exciting. Kevin was very welcoming and immediately put me at ease. He was extremely knowledgeable about the truck and gave me a lot of information about the vehicle and what it delivered on a day to day basis.”
To take part in the challenge participants were required to pay an entry fee of £10, hold a valid driving license (with at least one year’s experience) and collect at least £100 in sponsorship.
- ENDS-
Issued on behalf of Tradeteam by Adessi. For more information contact Beth Leonard on (0113) 256 9999 or beth.leonard@
Notes to editors:
Tradeteam is part of the world’s largest logistics company – DHL. Employing over 2,400 people with 600 vehicles, the business is the number 1 drinks logistics supplier in the UK with a turnover in excess of £160m, delivering to more than 30,000 ‘on trade’ outlets each week and more than 7,000 primary (off-trade) trips each month. Tradeteam picks 50 million items per year at 99.88% accuracy. Customers include Molson Coors, Anheuser-Busch Inbev and JD Wetherspoon.
For more information about Tradeteam visit www.tradeteam.com
Marie Curie Nurses now care for around 50 per cent of all cancer patients who die at home. They work through the night or during the day to provide care for patients in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of their own home.
The nurses are also there for families and carers - providing practical and emotional support at what can be an exhausting time. Marie Curie Nursing is always free of charge to patients and carers.
Marie Curie’s Ladies’ Driving Challenge takes place annually at various locations across the UK. Participants are given the chance to take the driving seat in a variety of thrilling vehicles including double-decker buses, fire engines, cement mixers, an articulated lorry, a car transporter and even an army truck.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
