Microlise has been supporting Transaid for over ten years now.

Such a worthy cause, Transaid are the people who are helping to transform lives through safe, available and sustainable transport.

There were an estimated 1.19 million road traffic deaths in 2021

92% of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, despite having less than 1% of the world’s motor vehicles

The African Region is the only region worldwide to see an increase in road traffic deaths – up by 17% from 2010 to 2021

Partnerships like ours, alongside the many other transport and logistics businesses working with Transaid, are an essential way in which the charity can address these transport challenges in developing countries. From fundraising and awareness raising to supplying training, vehicles and equipment, the work we do together makes a real difference.

We’re always proud to support Transaid, and even more so this May – as together we celebrate Transaid Month 2025 and do everything we can to try help improve these statistics.

As Microlise’s head cheerleader, find out more about how we work together and hear more about Andree’s story…

Q: How does Microlise support Transaid?

Andree: As an official charity partner, we are essentially part of the Transaid family, helping support Transaid’s mission and their projects. From events to fundraisers, we help raise awareness and actively support them in raising the vital funds they need to continue their amazing work across sub-Saharan Africa.

Q: How long have you been working with Transaid? 

Andree: I first got involved with Transaid in 2017 but Microlise has been a partner of Transaid for over 10 years.

I became the Microlise Transaid Ambassador in 2019 which means I am the main point of contact for Microlise employees, so the team know they can always come to me if they have questions or want to get involved. And the same for Transaid. I speak to the team daily, helping coordinate upcoming events and planning for the next opportunity.

Q: What was the first Transaid event you got involved with? 

Andree: It was joining the Cycle South Africa team in 2017. I only got the place as my then boss had to drop out as his wife was expecting their first child! Then suddenly, I’m on a plane and on a bike in Africa – and to be honest, it’s been such an adventure since.

The Transaid team are a great bunch of people doing such a fantastic job behind the scenes to bring these amazing events to life. And when you see the difference that it makes, and the impact they have – I just want to do more!

Q: So, what have been your highlights? 

Andree: The cycle challenges definitely are standout moments for me. They are amazing and I feel very lucky to have seen parts of rural Africa that would usually be completely inaccessible for tourists.

Over the years now I’ve cycled through baren scrubland in Malawi, remote villages in Zambia and tea plantations in Kenya, all with a fantastic group of people from across the transport industry.

Q: What’s your favourite thing about partnering with Transaid? 

Andree: I have two favourite things!

I really feel part of the Transaid family. Transaid Ambassadors and the cycle groups are a diverse bunch of people from such a wide range of backgrounds within the industry. No matter what industry event I go to I always bump into someone and we either reminisce about a cycling adventure or discuss a current project.

Q: And your second favourite thing?

Andree: My second is being able to contribute to such a worthy cause. We don’t realise what a safe world we live in in the UK. I had both my children in a fully equipped, new hospital after travelling there in the later stages of labour in a comfortable 4×4 down a smooth dual carriageway.

Yet in the rural communities I saw in Africa, my only option would be a long journey in a trailer pulled by a basic bike without gears to a local poorly equipped medical facility – if I was lucky.

Then, my children have access to whatever healthcare treatment they may require. They aren’t going to get Malaria, and if they did, getting the medication to save them (which costs 50p!) would not be an issue. It’s a very different world.

Q: If you could ask people to take one action to help Transaid, what would it be? 

Andree: I would say, however you can, find out more about life in other parts of the world. It is such an eye opener and can really help to put things in perspective.

And another is, get involved. May is Transaid Month so what better opportunity to see what it’s all about. At Microlise we are constantly involved in activities to raise awareness and funds for Transaid so keep a lookout on our LinkedIn and Instagram for upcoming opportunities.

Thanks Andree!

And thank you to Transaid for letting us be a part of this journey with you!

Visit transaid.org to find out more. Any questions you have about our involvement, please feel free to reach out to Andree.

#TransaidMonth25