A Dromore-based charitable truck show has announced that, with less than three months to go until their event, they have received “zero pounds” in sponsorship.
The Breaker Breaker Truck Show, which takes its name from CB radio code for ‘talk’, was first founded in 2019 by Leanne Lyons and family following the tragic death of Leanne’s husband, David Lyons.
David, who was a well known lorry driver and mechanic, “lost his battle with mental health” the year prior to the organisation’s formation.
Since then, Leanne and family have worked tirelessly to tackle the stigma of men’s mental health in the industry and received official accreditation as a registered charity in 2023.
Offering support through Inspire, anyone employed in the haulage industry including “including drivers, office staff and ground/yard staff, regardless of gender” can now access services from across the UK and Ireland.
Growing year-on-year since its inception, the Break Breaker Truck Show now attracts “thousands” of visitors to its base site at Nutts Corner in Crumlin.
More than just a truck show the charity offer a “perfect family day out with lots of activities and entertainment”, but the main driver behind the event is fundraising.
To put on an event of this magnitude and to ensure enough money is raised to allow them to continue their support work Breaker Breaker rely heavily on sponsorship.
However, this year the organisation say they have not managed to secure a single penny of sponsorship so far – and they are now just three months out from their 2025 show.
Frustrated by the lack of interest – despite having made “many emails and phone calls” – a representative for Breaker Breaker said: “Every year sponsorship is our biggest struggle. It costs just under £15,000 every year to make Breaker Breaker show happen.
“I hear you say ‘that’s a lot!’ but every year after our show we get texts, emails saying that individual’s have now reached out and are getting help. So how can you put a price on a life?”
This year’s show is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 5 and to ensure it goes ahead as planned the team are now asking for your support no matter how big or small.
Anyone in a position to sponsor the event can make contact via the Breaker Breaker Facebook page here, call 07912697189 or email Leanne@breakerbreakercharity.com.
More information can be found about Breaker Breaker Charity and its services here.
