Senior North West Union Rep Leads September Convoy To Bulgarian Orphans

Manchester Combined Branch Chair, Steve Rowlands has been appointed by the union’s charity CWU Humanitarian Aid as the Convoy Leader for the 10 vehicle convoy delivering aid to orphanages, schools and children’s hospital in September 2008. Steve is also a trustee of the charity.

Steve who is married with two children is the Branch Chair of the Manchester Combined branch and is employed by BT Openreach. He has travelled on three previous convoys where he showed his leadership and communication skills by supporting the convoy leaders.

This will be the first time Steve has led a convoy where he will be ably assisted by his co-driver and friend Phill Lewis, who has travelled on two convoys. Phill is the Regional Chair for the South East Region and also works for BT Openreach, Phill is well known for his wicked sense of humour which will help keep the drivers spirits up on the long roads ahead.

Carl Webb, CWUHA National Secretary who recommended Steve said “When I led the convoy in 2006 to the Ukraine Steve was very supportive and always willing to help out especially when we were stuck on the Ukraine Border for over 24 hours. It is important that leaders don’t lose their rag with the authorities or with their fellow convoy drivers who sometimes have the habit of asking inappropriate questions when you are in the middle of tentative negotiations with customs officers who are doing their best to delay you. It also important to communicate your decisions in the right manner to your fellow drivers, both Steve and Phill has all these qualities in abundance”.

Good Luck to Both of You!