A gym-loving group of friends from Mϋller Milk and Ingredients Distribution (MMiD) in Leeds, headed by former Royal Marine, Karl Crossland, took part in The Total Warrior Great Northern Mud Run in Leeds on Sunday, raising £1000 for Veterans into Logistics – a charity that trains and supports veterans into new careers as HGV Drivers.
The team comprising Wakefield local Karl, his wife Lynne, and Mϋller teammates Paul Ellam and Lee-Anne Trotter, completed the gruelling 7.5-mile course battling the wind, rain and never-ending mud, defeating 20 military-based obstacles including running over fire, through water and taking on the 100ft Slideaway!
Karl was a Royal Marine for 12 years and now works as a Driver Trainer at Mϋller’s Leeds Depot. He’s competed in several Warrior and endurance challenges and chose to raise money for Veterans into Logistics this year through Mϋller’s partnership with the charity.
Mϋller has signed The Armed Forces Covenant, a promise to the nation to support those who serve or who have served in the military.
After Karl left the Marines, he lived in Australia for two years where he enjoyed cycling. He’s been working at Mϋller for seven years since moving back to England, starting as an HGV Driver and working his way up to Driver Trainer.
Karl got his HGV Licence during his time in the Royal Marines and supports Mϋller in their partnership with Veterans into Logistics as he sees first-hand the difference that a new career as an HGV driver makes to ex-military personnel.
He said: “My wife and I have been doing challenges like this for years and we enjoyed taking part in Total Warrior this year with my Mϋller colleagues, despite the bad weather! We all wanted to raise as much money as possible for Veterans into Logistics, as through our work at Mϋller, we see how the mentoring and training provided by the charity makes a huge impact and how a new career as a truck driver is so positive for ex-military personnel.
Veterans into Logistics General Manager, John Harker MBE said: “On behalf of the charity, I would like to thank Karl, his wife Lynne, and his Mϋller colleagues and teammates Paul and Lee-Anne for raising £1000 for Veterans into Logistics by taking part in this epic endurance challenge.
“We receive great support from Mϋller through our partnership and are proud that their employees like Karl continue to support our mission outside of work. The money they have raised will go towards mentoring and training veterans into new careers as HGV Drivers.
Mϋller Leeds Depot Manager, Stewart Smith came along to give the team moral support on the day. He said: “Karl’s focus and dedication are testament to him and his service, he works hard to maintain high standards and will always help where he can.
“Karl’s support for Veterans into Logistics through the business and personally is no surprise, as any person who has served knows the transition to civilian life can be difficult and can take its toll, having someone with Karl’s understanding and drive to support through that transition really can, and does, make a difference.”
For more information on Veterans into Logistics, please visit: www.veteransintologistics.org.uk
