Staff and young people from community charity Blackburn Youth Zone unveiled their own branded lorry as they drove home the benefits of haulage careers with a charity supporter.
Youth zone patron Fagan and Whalley launched its new Blackburn Youth Zone truck with a visit to the Jubilee Street centre during National Lorry Week this week.
The free event, held during half term, saw the Padiham business offer careers advice as the youth zone showed its support to the industry, which is experiencing a national driver shortage.
The charity has now launched a competition, called #BYZTruck, as the Blackburn Youth Zone vehicle hits the road.
80 young people attended the youth zone during the afternoon event to glimpse the lorry and take part in activities. There was also a chance to pick up some free Fagan and Whalley-branded merchandise and speak to joint chief executives Graham Fagan and Stephen Fagan about careers opportunities with the logistics, distribution and warehousing business.
The family business became a patron of Blackburn Youth Zone in October 2020, following on from its work with young people through colleges and its apprenticeship schemes.
Graham Fagan said: “We are immensely proud to support Blackburn Youth Zone and what better way to show our support than on the side of one of our trucks. The youth zone offers vital support to children, young people and their families in Blackburn and Darwen and we were pleased to play a part in that through our National Lorry Week event. It was fantastic to speak to the young people about our industry and we hope to have inspired some of them to consider careers in haulage in the future.”
Anyone who sees the BYZ truck is asked to post a picture on social media using the hashtag #BYZTruck, tagging Blackburn Youth Zone and Fagan and Whalley. The deadline is December 17, with the chance to win £50 in vouchers for The Mall.
Hannah Allen, chief executive of Blackburn Youth Zone, said it was fantastic to see so many young people getting involved with the event. She said: “Blackburn Youth Zone prides itself on offering amazing, life-enhancing experiences to young people in the borough. It was lovely to see so many of them attending the launch of our BYZ truck and hearing their questions for Graham and Stephen. We hope as many people as possible will keep their eyes peeled on the roads to enter our competition.”
Young people who would like advice on careers with Fagan and Whalley can email melanie.thomas@blackburnyz.org
