Ribble Valley annual truck run raises thousands for charity

The Ribble Valley Truck Run returned on April 9, with more than 170 trucks travelling across the borough raising funds for the charity Friends of Serenity.

Matthew Hargreaves, 35, from Clitheroe, is an organiser of the event alongside several others and he said the event was a success and they had more participants than they anticipated.

He said: “The event turned out to be really big, we had a lot more entries than last year, we had 179 vehicles which was a bit more than we anticipated but it was all good for the charity.

“The response was great; people were lining the streets and we were giving out Easter eggs to the children and it was a really good day.

Charlie made this poster for the truckers to honk for him (Image: Sarah Field)

“The trucks gathered at Gisburn from 10.30am and then we left Gisburn at 11am, and travelled through the Ribble Valley, through Chatburn, Billington, Whalley, Barrow and into Clitheroe.

“It was a really busy event and people have sent messages thanking us and saying the children loved it and even the adults loved it.

“Hopefully it will return, we will be having a meeting, but it will take a lot more preparation next year.

“I feel proud to have done something special and Chris Dixon and his wife Kelly and my wife April were also involved in the event, it’s not just me who does all the work, I couldn’t have done it without them.

“We also had about 20 collectors out and about too.

“It was absolutely a success and up to the moment, we still have more donations coming in, but at the moment the fund is at over £5,000.”

179 trucks took part in this years Ribble Valley Truck Run (Image: David Johnston)

Set up in 2020, a group of friends decided to organise a charity truck run in memory of their friend who passed away.

Since the first event, the group of friends have made the truck run an annual event raising funds for various charities.

This year they decided to raise funds for Friends of Serenity who are based at the Women and New-born centre at Burnley Hospital.

The charity provide comfort to bereaved parents to make a devastating time a little gentler.

If you would like to donate, visit the JustGiving page here, it will remain open for some time for last minute donations.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.