Girl Torque, a charity that promotes women in the transport industry, has successfully raised a staggering £65,500 for several causes, The Road Haulage Association has revealed.
The organization raises funds by selling calendars and other merchandise on their online store, with 100% of proceeds going towards their chosen charities.
These include: Transaid, which implements haulage infrastructure in deprived nations; MS-UK, which supports people living with Multiple Sclerosis; SANDS, which supports bereaved parents and funds initiatives to lower infant mortality rates; and the Blue Cross for Pets, an animal welfare charity.
Girl Torque works with Volvo, with whom they collaborate to promote women in the industry. Founder Karen Sutherland told the RHA: “We really feel the need to break the stigma surrounding haulage with it being a male-dominated environment. We have always seen ourselves as drivers first and women second; we are here to do a job.
“The 86 girls in the team nominate their favourite charities. We research whether they receive funding from the government or very little funding at all.”
The initiative started in the summer of 2021 when trucker Karen Sutherland gathered a group of like-minded women to raise the profile of other female haulage professionals. Inspired by their shared commitment to being drivers first and women second, the group aimed to challenge stereotypes and change perceptions of females in the field.
Karen distributed the first 1000 copies by traveling extensively to truck stops across the country. By the first week of January, the initiative had raised £25,500 for several charities.
For more information on Girl Torque, click HERE.
