Firm starts campaign to be kind to lorry drivers this Christmas
A Northampton firm has launched a GoFundMe donation drive to buy Christmas presents for HGV drivers. The campaign is the brainchild of Justyna Sodel and her husband Damian who run NN1 Personnel. The recruitment agency specialising in HGV Driver supply and first had the idea in 2019 for fundraising when one of their drivers told them he used to spend Christmas away from his family working.
Drivers often spend long hours on the road, away from their loved ones and face constant deadlines. Many are unable to get back to their families over Christmas and will continue to work throughout the festive season. READ MORE: Northampton’s Hamza Yassin favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing but he has one clear opponent
During the pandemic, truck drivers were praised for their efforts in delivering essential goods to hospitals, shops and manufacturers. However, as the country gradually returned to normal, the “importance of this profession has faded” according to the firm. Justyna is now redoubling efforts for this year’s launch of the HGV Drivers Christmas Act of Kindness.
Northamptonshire is the logistics capital of the UK and donations will go towards providing gifts, food vouchers, festive hampers and other forms of support to truck drivers Justyna said: “In 2019, on Christmas Day we went to one of the local truck stops and we were shocked at how many HGV Drivers were spending it at service stations in their cabs. “We only had some homemade cakes to give out to them but we decided then to make it an organised appeal to share some Christmas spirit with them.
Many drivers are unable to get back to their families over Christmas
“Truck drivers are unsung heroes.
We care greatly about our own driver’s wellbeing and this extends to those across the logistics industry. With your help, we can make sure they know that this Christmas.” Last year’s appeal saw 130 drivers receiving gifts and they are hoping to double the festive parcels, which will be gifted to truck drivers at Red Lion Truckstop and other service stations around the county on Christmas Day.
Damian Sodel says: “Last Christmas, some of the drivers got quite emotional, with one driver saying ‘it was beautiful and completely unexpected to have the people of Northampton present him with a Christmas hamper during his stopover at Red Lion services'”. If you would like to donate, please visit the HGV Drivers Christmas Act of Kindness JustGiving page here. You can also drop off gifts or donations at the NN1 Personnel office on Wellingborough Road, Northampton, until Friday (December 16).
Get the latest and breaking news from Northamptonshire by signing up for our newsletter here.
READ NEXT: