A husband and wife team behind a temporary driver recruitment agency will hit the road on Christmas Day to give a special gift to long distance drivers away from home.
Last year, Damian and Justyna Sodel, of Northampton-based agency NN1 Personnel, donated gifts and food to dozens of lorry drivers at the town’s Red Lion Truck Stop on Christmas Day, along with their young son.
This year they are appealing to local businesses to help them to reach even more long distance drivers at roadside services around Northampton who won’t get the chance to see loved ones on Christmas Day.
Justyna Sodel, director at NN1 Personnel, said:
“For many long distance lorry drivers, Christmas Day is just another day at work. It can be an emotional time and many drivers feel lonely and isolated. Many of our own drivers were in this position, unable to get back to their families over Christmas, before they joined NN1 Personnel.
“This year has been particularly challenging for all of us, however it’s been wonderful to see HGV drivers recognised as key workers. These same drivers will continue to work throughout the Christmas period to make sure we can all get food and presents at the shops. Delivering unexpected gifts to them on Christmas Day is a small way that we can show our appreciation and gratitude.”
Damian and Justyna are appealing to businesses to donate items that drivers might find handy on the road such as toiletries and anti-bacterial hand gel, as well as treats such as non-perishable food items like sweets, chocolates and drinks.
Justyna added:
“Last year we didn’t ask for any donations. We donated all the gifts and gave out homemade cakes.
“We hope that with the support of businesses and individuals in the area we’ll be able to hand out many more gifts to any drivers we find at the Red Lion Truck Stop and potentially to other drivers at other motorway services in Northampton on Christmas Day.
“We’d also be pleased to hear from anyone who wants to help deliver gifts to drivers on Christmas Day – obviously this would be organised with any Covid-19 restrictions regarding gatherings in mind.”
Donations can be dropped off at the NN1 Personnel office at Suite 58, Burlington House East Wing, 369 Wellingborough Road, Northampton until Friday, December 18. Anyone who needs more details or wants to arrange for their donations to be collected should email damian@nn1personnel.co.uk
To further show their appreciation for drivers, NN1 Personnel has also registered January 22 as National HGV Drivers Day. For more information visit www.nn1personnel.co.uk/22nd-january-hgv-drivers-day/.
