Transaid is an international development charity that identifies, champions, implements and shares local transport solutions which improve access to basic services and economic opportunity for poor people in developing countries. Through combining the expertise of the UK Transport and Logistics industry with our experience in international development, we partner with local community organisations, governments, institutions and donors to achieve our aims. This collaborative approach enables Transaid to provide innovative solutions to some of the key challenges facing transport and development today. Transaid was founded by Save the Children and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and our Patron is HRH The Princess Royal.
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THE HEAVY HAULAGE INDUSTRY!
In August 2018, ‘The Heavies’ kindly hosted Transaid as the beneficiary charity for the second consecutive year at their annual awards dinner. Part of the evening’s entertainment was devoted to fundraising, and guests took part in a game of ‘Heads and Tails’ and an after-dinner auction to donate an incredible overall total of £5097! Transaid would like to say a huge thank you to all of the guests for their generosity and support on the night. The money raised is essential to the continuation of the life-saving programmes Transaid implements, as well as the research and development of new projects. We’d like to highlight some of the key achievements that have been made possible through the invaluable support of guests of ‘The Heavies’, and hopefully to encourage you to support Transaid’s work in the future!
For those of you unfamiliar with the charity, Transaid is an international development charity that aims to improve road safety and access to healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through combining the expertise of the UK Transport and Logistics industry with our experience in international development, we partner with local community organisations, governments, institutions and donors to achieve our aims. This collaborative approach enables Transaid to provide innovative solutions to some of the key challenges facing transport and development today. Transaid was founded by Save the Children and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and our Patron is HRH The Princess Royal.
Transaid operates a Corporate Membership Scheme and currently has 34 corporate and institutional members involved. Members include: DHL, XPO Logistics, DAF, MAN, Malcolm Group and Yusen Logistics as well as trade associations like CILT, BITA, RHA, FTA and UKWA. Those partners support Transaid both financially and practically through secondment of their staff to Transaid’s overseas programmes where professional volunteers share their skills and best practice with colleagues in country.
Road crashes kill an estimated 1.3 million people every year. In sub-Saharan Africa, road deaths are the third biggest killer behind HIV/AIDS and malaria*. Inadequate training, badly maintained and overloaded vehicles, a lack of enforcement and poor infrastructure all contribute to the increasing death toll. Through our Professional Driver Training Programmes in Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda, more than 30,000 commercial drivers, including HGV, PSV and FLT to the standards introduced by Transaid have now been trained.
Transaid also works to improve access to healthcare, particularly in remote areas. Good transport is essential for accessing emergency healthcare and an estimated 75% of maternal deaths can be avoided through timely access to essential childbirth-related care**. Transaid has introduced many innovative and community-led emergency transport interventions which have enabled people to reach medical help. These range from bicycle ambulances, ox and donkey carts to motorcycle ambulances and boats in Zambia, Malawi, Nigeria and Madagascar.
If your company is looking for ways to engage and inspire employees and also help to address key transport challenges in developing countries or if you would like to find out more about Transaid and how to support our work, please speak to a member of the team at the next ‘Heavies’ Awards in 2020, or visit www.transaid.org
After a very successful London to Paris cycle challenge in September 2017 – which to date has raised an incredible £127,000 – Transaid’s next challenge is Land’s End to John O’ Groats, which will take place in June 2020. This is a fantastic opportunity to fundraise for a great cause and take on a new fitness goal in the process, with options to cycle the whole way, submit a relay team or take on one section. If you fancy a challenge further from home, then Cycle Malawi, taking place in September 2020, is the one for you! Please contact Tony – tony@transaid.org to find out more.
* World Health Organisation/ World Bank
** According to the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015
