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PDA
Page 14
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Lorry driver support charity to launch in the new year
THE PROFESSIONAL Drivers Assocation (FDA) is to launch a charity in support of professional lorry drivers in the new year.
The Professional Drivers Foundation will be unveiled on 1 January 2009 and promises to provide advice as well as financial assistance to alleviate hardship among drivers.
With 18% of the 319,000 vocational licence holders in the UK aged 55 and above, and with 13.000 licence holders forced to cease driving HGVs due to accidents or death every year, the FDA says there is a need to provide a formal mechanism of support not just for members, but for the driving community as a whole.
The Professional Drivers Foundation will have a network of advisers to help drivers with everything from completing application forms for benefits to retraining to going back to work.
The FDA is looking for volunteers to join its team of almoners across the UK.
• More information can be found at www.pdafund.org, which launches on 1 January 2009. On the site, you can volunteer to help or make a donation.