We would like to welcome you to the PDF, a website ran entirely by volunteers with a lot of help from our Members, who mainly work as full time lorry drivers. If you wish to join the online discussion please follow this link and register as a member of the forums. Alternatively have a look around the site by browsing the MENU on the left hand side. The PDF, was formed primarily for the welfare of Lorry Drivers, born through ideas put forward by a PDF member. Further information about the PDF can be found below.

"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."

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.

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

In the future The Professional Drivers Foundation aims to be funded from within the Haulage Industry and from grants available. In the meantime we are striving to achieve that magical £5000 which will allow us to apply for full Charitable Status. Any donation you can afford to make, however small will help us on our way to that and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that every penny will be going to help a fellow lorry driver or their family in times of trouble. To donate click here or on the gift aid logo below and please give generously.

Information about fundraising for both Companies and individuals can be found here.

The Professional Drivers Foundation would like to take this opportunity to everyone who has made a donation, however small. It is from acorns that oak trees grow.
It was your help that enabled us to make the offer of financial help that was subsequently declined.
When a family member, and usually the breadwinner, is hospitalised at the other end of the country it can be a drain on finances to visit them and it is the last thing anyone should have to worry about, hence the emergency fund we make available.
Thank you all so much.

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.

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

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