London, UK: Veterans into Logistics, a charity that helps former military personnel to re-train for a career in the logistics sector, has replaced its ageing fleet of three HGV driver training vehicles with modern Volvo trucks.
The new vehicles comprise an FH 460 LNG Globetrotter 6×2 tractor unit donated by Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, along with a tandem-axle box van trailer donated by Asda. At the same time a grant from the Veterans’ Foundation has enabled the purchase of a second identical tractor unit and trailer, plus a diesel-powered 18-tonne Volvo FL 250 4×2 rigid.
Veterans into Logistics will now use the three Volvos to replace its aging fleet, which will be used to help around 150 new HGV drivers train and qualify for a new career each year upon leaving the British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.
Uniquely for a driver training provider, both FH tractor units will be fuelled on LNG, which reduces CO2 emissions compared with diesel – whilst still benefitting from the same power and driveability as a regular diesel-powered FH.
John Harker MBE, general manager, Veterans into Logistics, says: “We desperately needed to modernise our training fleet and Volvo Trucks, Asda and the Veterans’ Foundation jointly stepped up at the perfect time. Their generosity has been incredible, with the new trucks and trailers ticking every box.
“Our Mission is to secure voluntary funds to provide HGV driver training for veterans, then guide them into well-paid careers with respected logistics partners. To accomplish this, we need quality training vehicles we can rely on. To say the new vehicles will be working hard for us is an understatement!”
Pictured above are: (left to right) Darren Wright, founder, Veterans into Logistics; Carl White, used truck director, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland; with Stuart Bird’s two sons and widow, Noah Bird, Alfie Bird and Tracie Bird. Volvo Trucks donated the initial vehicle in memory of former colleague Stuart Bird, who died earlier this year. He was a technical manager for Volvo Used Trucks and had been part of the team since joining the business in 2006, after a career of more than 13 years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, which provides engineering support to maintain and repair the vast array of British Army equipment
