Thanks to the kindness of various players in the trucking industry, the future of two boys who were orphaned when their mom and dad died in a horror crash last year is looking a little brighter.
 

FleetWatch publisher - Patrick O’Leary gives a ‘high five’ in tribute to companies who helped raise funds.

It all started when FleetWatch editor Patrick O'Leary was returning from holiday with his family and came across a horror accident on the N3 just outside Warden on May 1, 2006. A number of people died in that crash including the mom and dad of Scott and Garry Messden from Durban. 

After reporting on the accident in FleetWatch, we received a letter from Ted Hughes of John Dory Trucking stating that it was all closer to home than we realised as the father of the boys was involved in the trucking industry in Durban.

Gary Ronald and Petro Kruger of the Automobile Association - two road safety 'saints' who regularly give up their free time to help stranded motorists and accident victims in the Van Reenen area during peak traffic periods via Community Medical Services, read the same report.
 

To cut a long story short FleetWatch, together with the Automobile Association of SA, decided to organize a Benevolent Golf Day to raise funds for the two teenage brothers. With their late dad having been involved in the industry, our objective was to summon up assistance from the trucking fraternity to assist Scott and Garry who are now living with relatives and are facing a serious lack of funds for their education etc. 
 

Youngest Supporter... the award went to Michaela ‘Turtle’ Steele, daughter of Dave Steele, Chief Provincial inspector DOT KZN, Road Traffic inspectorate, Ladysmith.

The response to our invitation to support the event by sponsoring a hole and/or donating prizes for the golf day - held on Sunday, February 4, 2007 at the Harrismith Country Club - was most enthusiastic and touching and a huge thanks goes out to the following companies for their wonderful support:

• Load Tech On-Board Weighing Systems 

• MAN Truck & Bus (sponsored two holes)

• Mercedes Benz Commercial Vehicles

• Toyota Trucks South Africa

• Roadworld Transport

• Federal Mogul

• N3 Toll Concessionaires

• Manline Transport

• John Dory Trucking

• Moe & Vermaas

• Armstrong Hydraulics

• The Automobile Association; and

• FleetWatch.

The Golf Day was attended by fifty-odd people, including the team players and their families who came along to give their support. The weatherman arranged a perfect sunny day and much fun and warm camaraderie was enjoyed by all.
 

The winners... celebrating the end of a successful day!

In the end, over R60 000,00 was raised for the trust fund for Scott and Garry Messden which means the boys will now be able to complete their education and take their places in the future economy of the country.

To all the sponsors - thank you for being a part of this event. You have made a difference in the lives of two children - future leaders - and shown that you care. The trucking industry once again showed the enormity of its heart!

From left - Ted Hughes, initiator of the project; Phillip Hull, project leader of Cummunity Medical Services, and Helga Spring (co-ordinator) and daughter Michelle of FleetWatch.