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North-east haulier Elddis Transport has launched an ambitious plan to raise £50,000 for a local hospice, with the help of its 250th Mercedes Actros.
The Consett-based company has pledged to donate 15p for every mile the vehicle covers over the next three years, to the Willow Burn Hospice, at nearby Lanchester.
Elddis is also inviting people to track its progress – and add their own donations – through a special web site.
The landmark truck, a Euro 4 Actros 2546 tractor unit with BlueTec SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology, was supplied by Newcastle dealer Bell Truck and Van.
Wearing a special Willow Burn Hospice livery and W111 OWH registration plate, it has joined Elddis’s Mercedes-dominated fleet of more than 160 vehicles on general haulage duties, but will also help to raise the profile of the fund-raising effort by visiting shows and local events.
Willow Burn Hospice opened in 1989 and provides care and treatment for those with life-limiting illnesses. It has four in-patient beds as well as day services, ‘Hospice at Home’ and out-patient clinics. It depends entirely on charity donations.
Elddis Managing Director Nigel Cook says: “Willow Burn Hospice does a fantastic job for the local community and we’ve been pleased to support its work for many years. But now we are trying to take that to a higher level.
“We calculate that 15p per mile over three years will equate to a donation of £50,000 from Elddis Transport, but we would like the final total to be much higher. Not only are we investing a significant amount of our own money but we are also hoping to raise awareness of the hospice and encourage others to support this very worthy cause.”
Mercedes-Benz and Bell Truck and Van started the ball rolling by handing over a cheque for £2,000 when the truck was delivered.
As well as reading more about the hospice, people logging on to the web site will be able to track the progress of driver Colin Kendrick and his Actros as they travel up and down the country, and check out the list of events at which it will appear. And, of course, they will also be able to make their own donations to the fund.
“We hope that this effort will catch people’s imagination and gather momentum as it progresses,” adds Mr Cook. “The staff and volunteers at Willow Burn provide a much-needed service and they deserve our support.” |
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