MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
A team of 32 colleagues from South and West Yorkshire Mercedes-Benz dealer Northside Truck & Van demonstrated how to run a mighty Actros tractor unit without burning a single drop of fuel – by pulling it for three miles across Leeds!
They staged the stunt to raise funds for Help For Heroes Day, 14th October, and listeners across the city kept track of their progress thanks to a live broadcast by local station, Real Radio.
Thanks to the generous support of sponsors and members of the public who lined the streets to applaud their magnificent effort, the team managed to raise an impressive £8,000.
The truck pull was organised by Northside Service Team Leader and former soldier Ian Hannon, who served with the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers in Kosovo and Bosnia.
He recalled: "I discussed the idea with Dealer Principal Tim Ward who was very enthusiastic and promised his full support, as long as he could take part.
"Then I heard Real Radio were asking people to tell them of any sponsored activities being organised for Help the Heroes Day. So I contacted the station and they agreed to make the truck pull one of their featured events.
"They supported us by promoting our efforts in their broadcasts, which I’m sure helped to raise the profile of our effort and bring in more cash, and also sent down Breakfast Show presenters Gayle Lofthouse and David Dixie to help out on the day."
Ian continued: "The truck weighs around eight tonnes but pulling it was not too bad – until we reached the last half-mile of the course, which was all uphill! There were some very tired legs at the end but it was a great achievement and we’re all delighted to have raised so much money for a very worthy cause."
Help for Heroes is a registered charity launched in 2007 to provide support for service men and women wounded on active duty. To date the campaign has raised over £100 million.
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
