Helping Hand, the not for profit organisation run by a dedicated committee of Leyland Trucks and PACCAR Parts employees has awarded local charities with £25,000 at its annual Christmas lunch.
The money brings the total raised by Helping Hand in 2018 to a staggering £62,000 – with every penny raised donated to charities based in, and supporting the people of Lancashire.
During the annual factory Christmas lunch, Leyland Trucks Managing Director Bryan Sitko, and Helping Hand Chairman Matt Kersey presented cash totalling £25,000 to representatives from charities including Derian House children’s hospice, Deafway, Preston Domestic Violence Service, the North West Air Ambulance Charity, Heartbeat Cardiac Care, and Cash for Kids.
Baby Beat Appeal, Lancashire MIND, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, St Catherine’s Hospice, the Stroke Association and Tender Nursing care also received a share of the funds during Leyland Truck’s festive celebration. The event saw senior management serving over 1,100 Christmas lunches to staff, Christmas Hampers presented to all staff, and Christmas Carols sung by children from St Catherine’s Primary School choir.
Helping Hand chairman, Matt Kersey, said, “The employees at Leyland Trucks, and friends and family, who helped raise this money have taken part in numerous challenges including an obstacle course, walks, marathon events and distance cycling. They have been, at every step, supported by their colleagues who are always willing to not only spend time but also put their hands in their pockets to help. This is true team work and shows the great culture we have here at Leyland, and for that we are truly grateful.
“We set a target of raising £50,000 in 2018 and we have far exceeded our goal. A huge thank you to the committee and to all Leyland Trucks for making this possible.”
