Tag: charity|logistics|transport

Eager to support the humanitarian crisis caused by the war, UK logistics expert Freightline has helped deliver a lorry full of essential items to people in Ukraine.

Working with its client Norgren, the Warwickshire-based logistics and freight company helped arrange and transport a 40ft trailer packed with supplies to Poland, destined for distribution to Ukraine through humanitarian supply routes.

“We wanted to do something to help Ukraine, so when our friends at Norgren approached us, we jumped at the chance, ” says Carl Tipping, Key Account Manager at Freightline. “Urgent and time-critical logistics is what we do best.”

Goods ranging from baby products such as nappies and wet wipes, to essentials like clothing and sleeping bags, and food including pasta and tinned fruit, were all collected and efficiently packed into 17 pallets by Freightline.

Accustomed to working around the clock to support their clients with end-to-end logistics, Tipping and his colleagues worked late into the evening to prepare the transportation.

The truck arrived in Poland just four days after the initial collection of products, due in part to Freightline being able to quickly process the necessary paperwork and customs documentation.

From Poland’s capital, the goods have subsequently been distributed by The Red Cross to civilians in need across Ukraine via humanitarian corridors.

“The items in the lorry are hopefully already making a difference to people and families living in the scariest of situations. Everyone in our team was so keen to help,” adds Tipping.

From its headquarters in the Midlands, Freightline provides logistics including warehousing, freight forwarding, road transportation and air freight across the UK and internationally.

In particular, it specialises in urgent and time-critical logistics, quickly getting goods to the places they are needed in Britain, Europe and beyond.

“Few things are as urgent as helping people in Ukraine who are seeing their homes destroyed and families threatened. I’m pleased we were able to use our know-how to arrange the transportation as swiftly as we did,” adds Tipping.

In addition to supporting the transportation of humanitarian relief to Ukraine, other members of the Freightline team have also been doing their bit to help too.

Team Leader Martina Cunderlikova recently visited her home country of Slovakia with money donated by her colleagues and others to help 200 Ukrainian refuges being welcomed to her home town of Banska Stiavnica.

“I think we all took inspiration from Martina and what the people of her home town are doing to open their homes to people in need,” concludes Tipping.

The funds raised by Cunderlikova have helped to provide food and supermarket vouchers for essentials items.

 

 

Transaid has released nine places on its highly sought-after Cycle Malawi 2022 challenge, which will take place from 1 – 9 October, and is inviting riders from across the transport and logistics industry to register their interest quickly, to avoid disappointment.

Those signing up will join a group of 36 cyclists already confirmed for the event, which was sadly postponed in 2020.

The epic two-wheel adventure will take cyclists across the country commonly known as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’, thanks to the kindness and friendliness of its people. It will mark the international development organisation’s 10th African cycle challenge and includes five days of riding – plus the ultimate opportunity to discover Malawi away from the tourist trail.

Florence Bearman, Transaid’s Head of Fundraising, explains: “Moving the dates meant some of the original group are unable to take part, so we’re opening those places and expecting demand to be very strong. After two years of limited travel for many, we believe the attraction of cycling through rural Africa is going to be huge!”

Helen Tattersall, Head of Vehicle Accessories for Brand Licensing at Michelin Lifestyle, says: “I signed up with a group of colleagues back in 2019, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. We’ve got unfinished business in Malawi, and we can’t wait to get on our bikes. It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity to be part of something really special, with teams from across the industry coming together to raise vital funding for a very special charity.”

Over the years Transaid has delivered both access to healthcare and professional driver training programmes in Malawi, the most recent of these involving bicycle ambulances as a simple, yet highly effective, lifesaving mode of transport.

Bearman adds: “So far as New Year’s resolutions go, committing to get bike-fit is a great place to start! Southern Malawi is a truly spectacular location; and this is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see great swathes of the country from the saddle.”

Riders will cover an average of 60 miles per day and the route is graded as challenging. The penultimate day’s riding includes an afternoon tackling the Zomba Plateau, a stunning table-like mountain which soars to more than 2,080m and presides over the surrounding area.

To register your interest in a place on the challenge, or to request a registration pack, please contact Florence Bearman, Transaid Head of Fundraising by email to florence@transaid.org

Those signing up for a place on Cycle Malawi 2022 will be asked to pay a £349 registration fee, and to commit to raising a minimum of £3,800 for Transaid. Entries are welcomed from both individuals and teams.

A team of more than 30 riders from across the transport and logistics industry have completed the 170-mile ‘Way of the Roses’ challenge, cycling from Morecambe, Lancashire to Bridlington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, to raise money for Transaid, the international development organisation.

The epic coast-to-coast route was completed over two days on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th September, so far raising an estimated £29,000 to support Transaid’s life-saving work to improve road safety and access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa.

Florence Bearman, Head of Fundraising at Transaid, and one of the riders taking part in the event, said: “We have been waiting a long time to get back in the saddle for one of our cycle challenges, and after having to cancel several events during the pandemic, it was fantastic to finally be back on our bikes and raising money.

“A huge thank you to everyone who took part; particularly for smashing our fundraising expectations, and for the true grit and determination shown on the steep ascent between Settle and Brimham Rocks!”

The cyclists taking part represented around 20 companies from across the industry, including headline sponsor UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), and support sponsors PF Whitehead, Stanley Travel and TRS Tyres. Riders were also fielded from firms including ABE Ledbury, Alpine Travel, Backhouse Jones, BigChange, Bowker Group, Burton’s Biscuit Company, DHL Supply Chain, Goodyear, Go South Coast, Innovate 360, Johnsons Coach and Bus Travel, LDH (La Doria), Leica Biosystems, Marks & Spencer, Xpediator PLC and Z-Tech Control Systems.

Transaid now has its sights set on a return to international challenges with Cycle Malawi 2022 – which will see a team of more than 40 riders cover around 500km over five days, taking in the stunning Lake Malawi, Mount Mulanje, Liwonde National Park and the Zomba Plateau. 44 riders have already signed up, with just a handful of places still remaining. Revised dates for the event – postponed from 2021 – will be announced soon.

One of London’s leading warehousing and logistics experts, PF Whitehead Logistics, says it is proud to be a silver sponsor of – and take part in – charity Transaid’s long-awaited Way of the Roses cycle challenge.

This years’ challenge will involve two days of cycling through the Lancashire countryside and Yorkshire Dales, covering a total distance of 170 miles. The Way of the Roses challenge is named after the 15th Century Wars of the Roses, where English civil wars were fought between the royal houses of Lancaster and York over control of the throne.

All money raised will go to transport charity Transaid who transform lives through safe, available and sustainable transport. They work with communities, partners, and governments to solve transport challenges throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Florence Bearman, Transaid’s Head of Fundraising, said on the charity website: “We were bitterly disappointed not to be able to go ahead with our planned events last year, and so we are absolutely thrilled to launch this exciting new fundraiser.

“Our cycle challenges are always a sell-out, with a real sense of camaraderie among the riders – but most importantly because they are a fantastic chance for supporters to raise essential funds for our lifesaving programmes – a cause close to all our hearts.”

This years’ Way of the Roses runs over the 23rd-26th September 2021, and marks Transaid’s sixth UK-based cycle challenge. Managing Director of PF Whitehead Logistics, Peter Whitehead, will be one of 40 participants to take part in the Morecambe to Bridlington adventure.

“As a proud Transaid ambassador, this will be my third challenge, after previous rides in Tanzania and Zambia,” says Peter. “I’m so excited to be climbing back on my bike. This charity not only improves transportation services within communities but also empowers people.”

The Way of the Roses’ cycle jersey design has also recently been revealed, with sponsor PF Whitehead Logistics’ logo clearly displayed on the left arm. The jersey itself is deep maroon with roses on both the back and front to symbolise the region’s infamous battle past.

Other riders for the event include like-minded individuals from across the transport sector who are all keen to fundraise for Transaid’s work in sub-Saharan Africa improving road safety and access to healthcare.

Family-owned and run since 1963, PF Whitehead Logistics was founded with a single van. Today, it operates a large fleet of modern vehicles across the UK and South East from it 50,000 sq m facility in South London. It offers warehousing, third-party logistics, pallet distribution and outsourced transportation, all, it says, with exceptional service and dependability.

To support Peter’s challenge and make a donation to Transaid, please click here.