£100,000 raised by Drive Motor Retail to help Ukraine war victims

Staff at Drive Motor Retail have been praised for their fantastic fundraising activities to support Ukraine citizens affected by Russia's attacks.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in March, the board of the 16-site AM100 dealer group set its workforce the challenge of raising £50,000 by the end of the year, with a pledge that the business would match the money raised.

Now it has handed over a cheque for £100,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Joint managing director Rob Keenan said: "Hitting our target of £100,000 before the end of the year is a wonderful achievement.

"I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in events and done their bit for the cause."

Fundraiseing activity included a number of Drive sites cycling the equivalent distance from their dealership to Ukraine by taking shifts on a bike in the showroom, local quiz nights, a fancy dress sea swim, and ‘the world’s longest golf day’.

One employee raised more than £3,500 alone by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and staff from the group's contact centre completed a 27-mile sponsored walk from Redcar to Whitby.

Joint managing director Stuart Harrison said: "We can’t comprehend what the people of Ukraine are currently experiencing and the sacrifices they are having to make just to ensure their own safety.

"At Drive, we want to make a difference through charitable events wherever we can."

The dealer group, which holds Vauxhall, MG and Citroen franchises, recently held its own OverDrive gala awards dinner at the Marriott Hotel in Leicester with more than 250 guests from across the business, where more than 50 Drive Motor Retail staff members were recognised for their achievements, with prizes handed out to the top-performing employees across sales, bodyshop, customer service, aftersales and service departments.