Truck lovers have shown remarkable generosity despite financial pressures, achieving a record tally of $35,000 to support our work providing free mental, physical, and dental health services across the state where they are needed most.
Funds raised at the Truck Run will be used to improve the physical and mental health of some of the State’s most vulnerable communities.
RFDS Tasmania’s mission is to improve health outcomes for all Tasmanians with a specific focus on people who live and work in remote and rural areas.
The $35,000 raised at this year’s event, which attracted over 230 impressive rigs for a run from Glebe in Launceston to Longford Showgrounds, will fund vital equipment used by the dental, physical and mental health teams across the state.
Additionally, the funds will also contribute to supporting the program delivery of our mobile health hub bus to set up regular health and wellness clinics at truck stops around the state.
Truckie Check-ins are a health initiative of the RFDS and are conducted in conjunction with the Tasmanian Transport Association and Rural Alive and Well as part of the Open Roads program.
Truck drivers are encouraged to pull up for a quick but potentially lifesaving health check to identify health problems before they exacerbate.
Our RFDS Primary Health Care team held its first Truckie Check-in for the year at the Truck Run, and it’s second in May at Epping Forest, with the next one scheduled for Mood Food in the South in July.
RFDS Tasmania CEO Nicole Henty said that like people residing in rural and remote communities, transport industry workers face similar barriers of time and opportunity to seek help.
“Truck drivers spend a lot of time working in isolation, for long hours, with deadline pressures and the constant stress of traffic and regular near misses – even the trauma of suicide attempts on the road,” Mrs Henty said.
“Often health checks are neglected due to competing priorities. However regular check-ups are vital to identify health issues before they become life-threatening. And that is where RFDS can assist thanks to generous community support.”
Tasmanian Truck Owners & Operators president Rob Bayles said that members were delighted that the money they raise not only assists with the delivery of RFDS health programs across the state but will also give back to the truck drivers directly.
“Every year the Annual Truck Run is getting bigger and better, allowing us to contribute more to the good work done by the RFDS,” Mr Bayles said.
“And I encourage all of our drivers to take 10 minutes to visit the RFDS bus during the next Truckie Check-in, for their own sake and that of their families.”
