Leyland Trucks collaborates with local community to raise significant funds.
- The Linking Leyland series included diverse sports events to gather support.
- Events raised £14,806 for crucial local charities, aiding vital services.
- Corporate partnerships played a key role in the successful fundraising.
- Community spirit was exemplified through collective effort and generosity.
Leyland Trucks joined forces with the Lancashire community this summer, successfully raising nearly £15,000 through a vibrant series of events. The ‘Linking Leyland’ initiative brought together colleagues, co-sponsors, and local residents in a show of solidarity, engaging in various family-friendly and competitive sporting activities that captured the public’s attention.
The series of events, known as ‘Linking Leyland,’ featured a range of activities including a truck pull and multiple cycling routes (85-mile, 60-mile, and 25-mile rides), a 10k and 1k run, and a duck race. These events amassed a total of £14,806, funds that are designated for vital local charities such as St Catherine’s Hospice, Best Foot Forward for Georgie, North West Air Ambulance Charity, and Tender Nursing Care, which rely heavily on community contributions for their operations.
The truck pull event saw teams enthusiastically competing to move an eight-tonne DAF XB truck in the shortest possible time. This adrenaline-fuelled contest was generously supported by sponsors like Lancashire DAF and Atlas Copco, with Thrive Personal Training Gym providing the venue gratis. Meanwhile, sponsorship and participation from companies such as Schneider Electric, Way, and MADE, enabled 70 cyclists to tackle one of the three cycling challenges, ranging from a demanding 85-mile course to a more accessible 25-mile ride around the Preston Guild Wheel.
Additional events included a 10k and 1k fun run through the picturesque Cuerden Valley and the cheerful chaos of a duck race, where local families enjoyed a festive competition. Key sponsorships from Goodyear and Expert Technologies Group were instrumental in these events’ success. Such engagements have proven to be a testament to the community’s commitment to the causes involved.
Phil Jones, Director of Operations at Leyland Trucks, expressed immense satisfaction with the outcome of these efforts, highlighting the significant impact on partnering charities. ‘These events wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering generosity of our sponsors and the incredible efforts of everyone who took part,’ Jones lauded, pointing to the event’s role in underpinning essential services for families in need. Moreover, he commended the community for their spirited participation, adding, ‘It was a true display of community spirit.’
St Catherine’s Hospice representative John Rullo acknowledged Leyland Trucks’ invaluable support, noting, ‘As such a prominent local employer, Leyland Trucks families are our families.’ His statement underscored the symbiotic relationship between the corporation and the charities benefitting from the funds. Rullo emphasized the hospice’s mission to offer comprehensive care to patients and their families, a commitment made possible through events like these.
Chris Andrews from the North West Air Ambulance Charity also extended appreciations for the generous fundraising, underscoring the charity’s reliance on such community-driven initiatives to maintain its operations, given the absence of government funding. Helping Hand, Leyland Trucks’ non-profit arm, continues to be pivotal in raising over £100,000 to date, directing crucial funds towards supporting community services as well as aiding disadvantaged employees.
The Linking Leyland events exemplify the power of community and corporate partnerships in effecting meaningful change.
