Highland trucking firm raising money for Archie Highland with lorry naming honour
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A Highland transport firm is auctioning off the chance to name its trucks for a top children’s charity.
Seafield Park Transport hopes to help the local branch of the Archie Foundation by letting people bid for a chance to give a moniker to one of its fleet of lorries.
The idea is being spearheaded by Seafield’s owner Steven Barclay.
Mr Barclay originally started naming his trucks after his own children but then realised that he could help raise money for charity by letting others tender offers for the privilege.
One of the latest to get the honour is Inverness based Matthew McCreadie (18) who is in the Great Britain Disability Swim Team.
Matthew has become one of the UK’s top disability swimmers and trained with the British team in Annan last weekend.
Matthew, who permanently has surgical screws in his hips, is the Scottish champion and is preparing for the British championships at Crawley in November and then for next year’s European Championships in Portugal.
His mum Susan McCreadie said:”Matthew was absolutely thrilled when Steven offered to name a truck after him – it’s a terrific gesture.
“Steven and Matthew really hit it off, they’re buddies.
“Now Matthew is planning to do his own bit for Archie Highland by organising a sponsored swim in the next few weeks.”
Steven’s daughter Lucy, Seafield Transport general manager, recently drove the truck bearing Matthew’s name at Archie Highland’s fundraising prosecco party.
The naming rights to the first Seafield Transport truck to be sponsored were acquired by Shona Hamill, head cashier at legal firm Munro and Noble, in memory of her father, Duncan.
Steven, whose other daughter Libby started work in the firm’s accounts department last year, started his company in 2003 and now has 42 vehicles on the road from their Nairn base, with bases in Fordoun and the north of England.
Mary Nimmo, chair of Archie Highland, said:”Steven’s been a brilliant addition to our sponsors. He’s raised huge sums of money in naming rights and sponsoring in less than a year and we’re extremely grateful.
“His commitment and enthusiasm are admirable.
“We’re so fortunate to have the support of the Barclay family.”
Steven said:”I started off putting my own children’s names on trucks and then thought it would be a good idea to auction a truck name for such a fantastic local cause.
“It proved successful and we’ve made it a regular fundraiser.
“We want to do our best for Archie Highland because it does such great work for sick children here in the Highlands and Islands.”
