Fagan & Whalley helps create safer roads in Zambia

At Fagan & Whalley, we’ve always pioneered for safer roads and driving practices – whether that’s in the UK or elsewhere in the world. We believe that every driver should be able to leave for a day’s work without the fear that they may not come home due to a lack of training. For that reason – we’ve teamed up with the charity, Transaid to increase road safety across Zambia. 

In sub-Saharan Africa, road deaths are the third biggest killer – following HIV/AIDS and Malaria. And as the population increases, this problem is only expected to worsen. 

Our commitment to increasing road safety has seen us aligned with the work of Transaid for a number of years now. And after hearing these statistics, our team were eager to address the growing demand for vehicles and qualified HGV drivers across the country.

What is the ITC and Transaid?

The ITC is currently the only public, commercial driver training centre in Zambia. Offering both full-time and part-time HGV training courses, it caters to both aspiring and seasoned drivers across the region. Meanwhile, Transaid is an International Development centred charity that was founded by Save The Children, The Chartered Insitute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and its Patron, HRH The Princess Royal. 

The two organisations have been partners since 2008 and strive to ensure that every driver can leave for work without fear they will not return home due to inadequate training or unsafe vehicles.

How are Fagan & Whalley getting involved?

From the rolling hills of Lancashire to the vast plains of Zambia – one of our de-fleeted vehicles is going to begin quite the African adventure!

We are currently in the process of transporting our vehicle, alongside another donated by Samworth Brothers in Leicester,  over 7,000 miles away, where the ITC will use them to carry out HGV driver training across the country. Not only will this contribute to safer roads across the region, but it will also help provide new career opportunities to those from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Chris Corrigan, brand and marketing executive, had this to say: “It’s been a joy working with Transaid over the last few months, whose values surrounding road safety are highly aligned with our own. For years we have placed a great emphasis on improving road safety within the UK, so to be able to extend this mission across to sub-Saharan Africa, too, means a great deal to us.

“Additionally, as a family-led business, knowing we can help people halfway across the world provide for their families is immensely rewarding, and we’re thrilled to be involved with such a meaningful project.”

What does Transaid have to say?

Florence Bearman, head of fundraising at Transaid, said: “We’re all really excited by Fagan & Whalley’s generous donation. The Scania R450 is a relatively new model from 2014, which means it has a great deal left of life in it and will allow us to provide training for many years to come!

“Zambia is a landlocked country, which means there often are real difficulties in the transportation of goods due to unpredictable freight and logistics services. By increasing the number of qualified HGV drivers across the country, we’re not only improving road safety standards and the livelihood of drivers, but we’re simultaneously supporting the wider community and economy by allowing for easier transportation of medical supplies and commodities.

"We’d like to thank Fagan & Whalley again for this fantastic donation!” 

Why are we cycling from London to Paris?

Whilst the logistics of transporting a vehicle over 7,000 miles away have been no mean feat, our commitment towards this great cause doesn’t stop there. This September, various members of the Fagan & Whalley team will be joining 60 other participants in cycling from London to Paris to raise awareness of the fantastic work Transaid carry out. 

All geared up in lycra, Sam Fagan, Laura Fagan, Stephen Fagan and Graham Fagan will begin their gruelling journey on the 21st of September and are set to reach Paris by the 25th.

If you’re able to make a donation to this great cause, then we’d like to guide you towards the Just Giving Fundraising page here.