Fraikin, the commercial vehicle fleet services specialist, will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in the UK with the launch of a year-long charity aiming to raise at least £40,000 for 13 nominated charities.

More than 30 events have already been planned to take place throughout the year, including cake sales and raffles, a 24 hour Three Peaks Challenge and a cycle tour that will target every Fraikin site across the country, covering 750 miles in just six days.

“We’re extremely proud of our heritage in this industry and wanted to celebrate this major milestone in a way that gives something back to the community,” said Ed Cowell, CEO at Fraikin UK. “The charities have all been chosen by our staff, and whether it’s a huge physical challenge or a local event that everyone can take part in, we’re going to give it our all. 2018 is an extremely important year for Fraikin, and what better way to recognise that than by smashing our fundraising target.”

National charities such as Cancer Research UK, Help for Heroes and Parkinson’s UK will be splitting the money raised at the end of the event with local causes in Coventry and Midlands, including the Air Ambulance and Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice. Additionally, Team Brit, the competitive motor racing team comprised entirely of drivers with disabilities, will also benefit from the money as it has been an official partner of Fraikin since 2017.

Fraikin Group is the largest vehicle fleet services company in Europe and it provides expert fleet management, contract hire, and rental solutions to the private and public sectors. Established in 1944 in France by Gerard Fraikin, the company operates in 16 countries and it has more than 2,800 employees, 7,000 clients, 180 branches, and a fleet of 60,000 vehicles. It operates in countries such as Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Poland and the UK.