Lee Gibson, a driving trainer at Widnes-based Suttons, has set up a Facebook group to offer support, advice and ideas to any truckers who want to get out of the cab and get fitter

Britain’s lorry drivers are more likely to be associated with greasy spoon cafes and Yorkie bars than they are with health and fitness.

However, Liverpool city region logistics giant Suttons Tankers is backing a campaign to change that perception and encourage those who spend so much of their time on the road to take more care of their bodies and minds.

Started by Suttons driver Lee Gibson, Truckers Who Run is a community-focused Facebook group which offers support, advice and ideas to any truckers who want to get out of the cab and get fitter.

Lee is one of the Widnes-based firm’s driving trainers who reckoned he couldn’t be the only UK trucker who would benefit from a dedicated place to discuss lifestyle, diet tips and fitness advice.

Offer support

The aim of the group is to create a network of friendly truck drivers who are able to offer support, lifestyle and fitness tips, while answering any queries members might have. Lee said: “It’s great to see this idea I had one day sitting in a truck has blossomed and is now helping drivers all over the country.

“We can advise our members on good places to run near where they’ve parked up for the night, offer them motivation when they’re finding it tough to exercise and provide a place to air worries and stresses, because mental health is just as important as physical fitness.

“Our membership has grown to over 2,000, and we’ve even launched our own Truckers Who Run clothing range, available to order through the group.”

Wellbeing campaigns

Steve Hassall, operations director for Suttons Tankers, added: “Suttons fully supports Lee with his campaign to assist drivers who are trying to improve and maintain their health and fitness. We encourage our drivers to join his online community and are backing this up with a series of wellbeing campaigns each month aimed at staff.”

Click here to sign up to the Truckers Who Run Facebook group

Suttons Tankers operates in the UK with a fleet of more than 500 vehicles focused on the chemicals, gas and fuel sectors. Suttons International operates globally with key business centres in New Jersey, Widnes, Antwerp, Ludwigshafen, Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo and Khobar.