Oldham's Heartwarming Tribute to Lorry Driver Highlights the Power of Kindness

Mandata, a leading transport management software provider, in collaboration with the RHA, has launched an inspiring campaign called ‘The UK’s Kindest Town‘. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by lorry drivers and encourages the public to support them through acts of kindness and community spirit.

The campaign has sparked a wave of stories from lorry drivers across the UK, sharing their personal experiences in various towns. Among these heartfelt accounts, one captivating narrative emerged from Oldham, a town with strong ties to the transport industry.

In a touching tribute to the late Brian Armstrong, a beloved local driver who dedicated 17 years of his life to the profession, the town of Oldham united on Friday, 5th May, to honour his memory. A heartfelt convoy was organised, with numerous local hauliers participating to accompany Brian on his final journey on the back of the truck he faithfully drove for so many years. As the procession made its way through the town, residents from all walks of life poured out of pubs, hairdressers, butchers, and shops to pay their respects and applaud a man who had left an indelible mark on their community.

Pictures and videos capturing this deeply moving tribute have been included with this press release, providing a poignant glimpse into the extraordinary display of kindness and solidarity that unfolded in Oldham towards lorry drivers.

You can find more information about the campaign, including how to enter and what it’s all about below:

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

‘The UK’s Kindest Town’ campaign strives to cultivate a more compassionate attitude towards HGV drivers by encouraging individuals, businesses, and organisations in local towns to put their kindness on display, in a bid to be awarded the title of ‘The UK’s Kindest Town’. The primary objective of the campaign is to create a more positive experience for HGV drivers, on the roads and at delivery centres. Lorry drivers often spend long hours on the road away from their families and loved ones and the campaign aims to showcase how acts of kindness can make a significant difference in their mental and emotional well-being.

The campaign invites road hauliers from across the country to vote for their favourite towns where they have come across exceptional displays of kindness towards them. By completing a brief questionnaire covering various criteria of their experiences within these towns, such as access to amenities, parking, and the kindness of the local people during one-to-one interactions or on the town’s surrounding roads, they will have a chance to win a £2,500 holiday voucher or a weekly (individual) £100 Amazon voucher. In addition, HGV drivers can compete for a £500 Amazon voucher by crafting a creative social media post highlighting their chosen town.

This campaign is a significant step forward in promoting acts of kindness, community spirit, and mental health awareness across the road haulage industry in the UK. It shines a light on the importance of demonstrating support towards HGV drivers and hopes to create a more compassionate attitude towards them, making a real difference in their lives. The winning town, as voted for by road hauliers, will be announced on 21st September across social media channels and will receive a prize package worth £10,000.

Sandra Pretorius, Chief Marketing Officer at Mandata Group, said: “The search for the UK’s Kindest Town, as voted for by road hauliers, is all about reminding the public that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness towards HGV drivers can have a tremendous impact on not only their mental health, but on everyone who witnesses acts of kindness on the roads and at delivery sites. Kindness begets kindness, but every chain reaction requires a spark. It is our hope that this campaign will be the inspiration that reignites random acts of kindness in towns all across the country.”

Richard Smith, Managing Director at RHA said: “The RHA are thrilled to collaborate with Mandata on ‘The UK’s Kindest Town’ campaign. This campaign represents a significant step forward in promoting acts of kindness, community spirit and mental health awareness across the road haulage industry in the UK. By shining a light on the importance of demonstrating support towards HGV drivers, we hope to create a more compassionate attitude towards them and make a real difference in their lives. We are proud to support this initiative and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the industry and the wider community.”

Voting is open to all road haulage business owners, traffic planners and HGV drivers and entries can be submitted via https://www.mandata.co.uk/kindtown/ until midnight on the 15th of September. You can also get involved with the conversation online by using the hashtag #KindGiants.