A truck designed by a talented young artist has helped to raise a whopping £15,000 for Derian House Children’s Hospice during the charity’s 30th anniversary year.
Ellie Biggs, 11, won the ‘Draw it for Derian’ art competition held by truck dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd. earlier this year with her eye-catching design that was emblazoned on a brand-new Volvo FH Globetrotter.
The truck has since been touring the UK encouraging donations with a ‘text to donate’ number, and encouraging customers who loan the demonstrator to make a charitable donation of their choice. Derian House is a charity that looks after 400 children with life-limiting conditions from across the North West.
In March, Ellie and her parents travelled 250 miles from her home in Devon to Derian House in Chorley to see the truck unveiled for the very first time – adorned with birthday cake, presents, and party balloons to celebrate the charity’s birthday.
It was especially fitting as Ellie’s parents, Amy and Adam Biggs, both work at Volvo dealers – Stuarts Truck & Bus.
Ellie said: “My mum told me about the competition. I love Volvo trucks because they’re a big part of what my family does – it’s the family business. I’ve always loved art too, and I’m so happy that my art is helping children at Derian House. One of my friends saw the truck out and about! Me and my mum think it’s wonderful how much Thomas Hardie has raised so far.”
The Volvo designed by Ellie is the second Derian-branded fundraising truck launched by Thomas Hardie Commercials since the success of their ‘Drive it for Derian’ fundraising campaign that was initiated in 2021.
Steve Wilson, Sales and Marketing Director at Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd, said: “We understand how important the work that Derian House Children’s Hospice does is, which is why we’re so passionate about helping them make a difference, with financial donations, fundraising, and volunteering. We’re incredibly grateful for the generous contributions made by our customers who have used both of our charity demonstrators and aided the success we have seen since the launch of our first charity demonstrator in 2021.”
Thomas Hardie Commercials has so far raised over £65,000 for Derian House over the years by hosting a variety of different events and charity days.
Mick Croskery, Fundraising Manager at Derian House, said: “We are hugely grateful to Thomas Hardie Commercials and its customers for their amazing support and generosity. The incredible amount of money raised – and the awareness it will bring – will make a huge difference for our families.
“We knew that Ellie’s design was special when we first saw it and to now see how it has brought a smile to so many people and helped us raise so much money to look after our children and young people is just the icing on the cake.
“It will cost us £6 million to run services at Derian House in 2023, so we rely heavily on the generosity of our incredible supporters like this.”
Based in Chorley, the hospice cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To make a donation to the ‘Drive it for Derian’ campaign, please visit Thomas Hardie Commercials’ fundraising page.
To make an enquiry about the vehicles, please contact your local Thomas Hardie Commercials dealership.
