A team of 25 fundraisers cycled 420km in temperatures of up to 46 degrees to fund a Professional Driver Training Project in the country. Participants included representatives from Aspray Transport, ATS Euromaster, BJD Group, DFDS Seaway, DHL, IPP Logipal, Michelin, Motor Transport, Norbert Dentressangle and Total Wheel Alignment as well as Gate Gourmet and the Audit Commission.

Michelin’s Truck sales account manager Stefanie Machnik said: “The trip is easily one of the most rewarding things I have ever done – and one of the most challenging. We were on the bikes for six or seven hours each day, the heat was so intense and the course was really hard-going but we saw some truly amazing sights – from giraffes and antelope in the game reserve to when we went through tiny villages and the children lined the roads to high-five us.

“We also got to see first-hand how dangerous the roads can be in Tanzania. When we arrived someone undertook us and clipped our bus – a timely reminder of why we were there in the first place. There is a real need to raise driver standards and save lives.”

Transaid chief executive Chris Saunders said: “To hear that the team has beaten its ambitious fundraising target is tremendous and testament to all their efforts – both cycling and fundraising. Road accidents are the third highest cause of premature deaths in sub-Saharan Africa after HIV/AIDS and malaria and a Professional Driver Training Project we run in Zambia which is supported by a consortium of UK transport and logistics companies has already had significant impact. I am delighted we are now extending the project to Tanzania and sincerely thank all involved for their contribution to this life-saving work.”