£243,000 raised in transport charity’s 15th anniversary year

International development charity, Transaid, has raised more than £243,000 through fundraising activities and campaigns in its 15th anniversary year.

The impressive total was reached after members of the transport industry took part in a number of special events, including a trek up Mount Snowdon, a cycle ride from London to Amsterdam and another cycle challenge across Uganda.

Transaid was also the beneficiary of a number of trade events and employees’ fundraisers in 2013. Funds raised from ticket sales, auctions and raffles held at award evenings such as the Women in Logistics Ball and Transport News Scottish Rewards, industry shows such as Multimodal and internally organised company events contributed more than £45,000 to the total.

The money will keep the charity’s African projects running, which are designed to improve standards of road safety, as well as access to health and livelihoods.

Transaid was originally founded as a transport sub-charity within Save the Children after its patron The Princess Royal realised 25 per cent of the charity’s budget for relief work in Ethiopia was being spent on transport in emergencies due to lack of high level transport expertise. Transaid became independent in 1998 and since then the Princess Royal has played an active role as Transaid’s patron and in 2013 hosted the charity’s showcase at Buckingham Palace.

Since its formation Transaid has run more than 150 projects in 25 countries, and works to implement local transport solutions in Africa and developing countries.

One of its successful projects – the Emergency Transport Scheme in Nigeria, has helped 10,000 women in labour get to medical facilities and the programme is being scaled up within the country.

Gary Forster, Transaid’s Chief Executive, says: "Our 15th anniversary year has been truly special thanks to the generous backing of our supporters.

"We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped us raise such a fantastic sum of money this year which will make a real difference to so many lives. We hope you will continue your support for Transaid in the future and we’re looking forward to what we can achieve together in the next 15 years."

The charity also added to its fundraising total by exceeding its Christmas campaign target of £15,000, raised through its festive e-card appeal.

For more information about Transaid or to find out how you can support the charity visit www.transaid.org.