Leicester-based Central England Co-operative food distribution centre donates two lorries

Posted by nathan lloyd | Published: 09/11/2016

Two vehicles used by Central England Co-operative to deliver food up and down the country are now set to be used to help people in developing countries.

Colleagues from the Society’s Food Distribution Centre, in Scudamore Road, Leicester, have revealed that one 18 tonne Iveco lorry and one 26 tonne Iveco lorry have been donated to transport and logistics industry charity Transaid.

The vehicles will be transported to Lusaka, Zambia, via Namibia, before they are put to use for driver training at the Industrial Training Centre (ITC) that works towards increasing the standards of road safety in the region.

Robin Farrell, Head of Distribution and Logistics, said: “As a responsible business, we are delighted to be able to use two vehicles, which have helped us serve our customers so well over the years, to now help people in developing nations.

“Transaid is a fantastic organisation and one that makes a real difference to the lives of people across the globe.

“At Central England Co-operative, we pride ourselves on our reputation as an ethical business and focus on corporate responsibility

“This donation is a great example of us giving back and supporting others in need.”

Transaid is an international development organisation that transforms lives through safe, available, and sustainable transport. Through sharing its expertise, Transaid empowers communities to build the skills they need to transform their own lives.

Founded by Save the Children, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and The Princess Royal, Transaid shares 25 years’ worth of expertise in 23 countries with partners and governments – empowering communities to build the skills they need to transform their own lives.

Neil Rettie, Road Safety Project Manager from Transaid, said: ‘’Our Professional Driver Training programme helps drivers in Africa to improve their professional skills and ultimately make roads in the region safer.

“Our partners at ITC have trained 1493 students between May 2015 and April 2016.

“We are extremely grateful to Central England Co-operative for their donation of two training vehicles which will enable us to offer this training to even more students.’’