Patron of the Professional Drivers Foundation

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Steve Parrish says

"I am very pleased to be supporting the Professional Drivers Foundation.
Having had a few accidents on the tracks over my racing career, it is good to see a charity specifically supporting lorry drivers, who we all know are the lifeline of this Country.
I am very honoured to be associated with the PDF."

Welcome to the PDF

The Foundation was formed primarily for the welfare of Lorry Drivers.

The Haulage Industry employs many people and is an ageing workforce, of which a large number of drivers are over 50 years of age.

It is not a well paid industry, and entails long hours with many of the workforce being away 4 nights a week and sleeping in their vehicles.

It is subject to tight regulation, by which a driver can lose the right to work by the revocation of his or her licence by the DVLA. In addition, numerous injuries are caused to drivers, not necessarily while driving, often when delivering. Sadly, whilst death is rare in this industry, due to its nature, it does happen.

The Professional Drivers Foundation feels there is a need to provide some help, both financial and advisory, to anyone holding a vocational driving licence and in need of support through no fault of their own.


Contact

Pat Nicholson on 07909 995615, weekdays between 08:00 and 18:00 outside these hours please mail: The Professional Drivers Foundation


The Professional Drivers Foundation has had an exceptional amount of requests for help in the first nine months of 2011. This has led to our funds being at an all time low so to enable us to continue with the help we give, both financial and retraining, we need your help more than ever before.
Of course, we do not disclose specific details about anyone who approach us but here is a brief summary of cases from January2011 to September 2011. All of these have received substantial financial help from the PDF fund, in some cases within 24 hours of applying to us:

Mr E (Wales) Diabetic/Redundant
Mrs V (North East) Respite Care
Mr F ( SSAFA) Illness/rent arrears
Mr W (Somerset) Seriously ill child
Mr A (Glos) Serious RTA
Mr D (North West) Long term sick
Mr H (Norfolk ) Stroke /Depression

Novadata, one of our staunchest supporters, has once again come to our rescue and donated a weeks CPC course and exam to us completely free of charge. This has been allocated to a suitable candidate who is unable to return to lorry driving, and should open up the opportunity to move into transport management.

In addition, the PDF has made a career development loan, in association with Priestley LGV, to enable another person to gain employment and come off benefits.
This is only possible with your help but here is something to make those donations worthwhile.

Dear Trustees
I am writing to you, and fellow members of The Professional Drivers Foundation, to say a massive thank you from myself and my family for the donation which you granted me. The donation paid to get my car repaired satisfactorily, and it is running perfectly now, so I can resume my normal routine. Without your support, I would have been in a great muddle, and would have had to come off the road, so it's wonderful to know there are organisations like you who are there to help. Thank you once again.

Yours sincerely

Getting thank you letters is always nice, but this one needed sharing with you!


VOSA's Moving On monthly magazine.

The Professional Drivers Association has an article in VOSA's Moving On monthly magazine.

Click the following link: Moving On to read the full story.


PDA Foundation – Established FOR Drivers, BY Drivers

The UK Professional Drivers Association (PDA) has established a charity specifically aimed at HGV drivers; the Professional Drivers Foundation.

PDA founder and spokeswoman, Pat Nicholson said, “The UK haulage industry is one of the UK’s largest employers, providing a vital livelihood for thousands of HGV drivers, many of whom are over 50 years of age.

“The Foundation was formed primarily for the welfare of lorry drivers. It is not a well-paid industry, and entails long hours with many of the workforce being away 4 nights a week and sleeping in their vehicles.

The Foundation is pleased to have British motor ace Steve Parrish as patron. Winner of over a dozen British, European and World Motorcycle and Truck Racing Titles, Steve is delighted to bring his support to the Foundation.

“Having had a few accidents on the tracks over my racing career, it is good to see a charity specifically supporting lorry drivers, who we all know are the lifeline of this Country. I am very honoured to be associated with the Professional Drivers Foundation."

“Regrettably, numerous injuries are caused to drivers, not necessarily while driving, but when delivering. The Professional Drivers Foundation feels there is a need to provide some help, both financial and advisory, to anyone holding a vocational driving licence and in need of support through no fault of their own.”

Novadata, one of the country's leading providers of transport-related training, services and products, is also pleased to pledge its support for the Foundation. Managing Director, Derek Broomfield says, “Our mission has always been to bring together transport experts and unite them in a single purpose, to create the very best results for our clients. That is why we are so keen to see the Professional Drivers Foundation grow.

“We firmly believe that the Foundation holds a unique position in the transport industry; a position which, with enough support, can only become stronger. We at Novadata want to help the Foundation move on to the next level. Therefore launching the fundraising campaign at the Commercial Vehicle Operator Show will give it a good kick start.”

For further information, contact Pat Nicholson on pat.nicholson@tiscali.co.uk or 07909 995615.

Novadata Gives Boost to Transport Charity

Novadata Transport Training has given a new transport charity a much needed cash injection.

Novadata’s donation of £2,500 will help the Professional Drivers Foundation (PDF) in its role of assisting lorry drivers and their families who are in distress. It will also enable the PDF to apply for full charitable status.

The presentation and launch of the PDF’S fundraising campaign took place at the Commercial Vehicle Operator Show at the NEC, Birmingham.

British racing ace, Steve Parrish, who recently became the patron of the Professional Drivers Foundation, was on hand to collect the cheque on behalf of the charity.

Winner of more than a dozen worldwide motorcycle and truck racing titles, Steve Parrish disclosed that he holds an HGV licence and is fully aware of the challenging demands placed on drivers.

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PDF Trustee and representative, Pat Nicholson said: “We are extremely grateful to Novadata for this very generous donation."

Novadata’s Managing Director, Derek Broomfield, who presented the cheque, explained why the company has decided to support the PDF:

“Lorry driving is a profession with a high level of responsibility and its own set of unique challenges. The 21st Century Professional Driver faces a vehicle packed with technology and a mountain of legislation. It’s a demanding occupation and we recognise that if drivers fall on hard times there are few supporting resources.

“We believe that the PDF holds a unique position in the transport industry; it does a fantastic job, offering an extensive range of benefits and has already helped many drivers in need. We want to see that work continue and hope our donation makes a significant difference by helping it achieve registered charity status. This is vitally important for the PDF if it is to attract the support/corporate sponsorship it needs to be able to continue to make a difference to drivers who encounter hardship.”

Story By: Su Winch

Web Link: www.novadata.co.uk

Email Link: enquiries@novadata.co.uk


The Professional Drivers Association annual Training & Awareness Day

Harry Hi-Viz snr. made his debut appearance to help with the road safety demonstrations, wandering around both in front of and at the side of a lorry, proving just how many blind spots there are. Car drivers were asked to guess how far behind them a lorry was from the rear view mirror of a car and without fail underestimated the distance.

Could this be why so often lorries are accused of tail-gating cars?

The attendees were then taken on a days driving and manoeuvring around the yard on a one to one basis with an experienced lorry driver supervising them and of course this proved to be the most popular request.

‘Can you teach me how to reverse an artic’ was heard so many times and everyone went home far more able than when they arrived.
Roping and sheeting proved to be as popular as ever and eventually everyone managed a dolly knot to be proud of!

Graeme Baxter from VOSA attended to answer questions, along with Bob Thompson from Novadata who gave tuition on Digital Tachograph simulators all day, and many thanks to them both.

Our thanks go, once again, to Brett’s Transport for allowing us to do this every year but in addition we would like to than the drivers who gave up their valuable weekend off to pass on their knowledge to others entirely free of charge.

A grand sum of £135 was raised for the Professional Drivers Foundation charity from donations received on the day.

Pat Nicholson
Trustee.



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