Benn Laidler MBE and Steve Shaw MA, FCILT, CMCIPD of Torque Events have been awarded the Sir James Gildea Global Award by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Both men have spent decades in the British Armed Forces. Benn served 23 years in the Army Air Corps and was deployed in conflict zones around the world from Bosnia to Afghanistan to Iraq. Steve spent more than 40 years in the Royal Navy, serving in operations in the Mediterranean, the Gulf, the Barents Sea, and the Far East. They have fundraised for military charities since 2010, and first approached SSAFA in 2014.
In 2022, the two joined forces to create Torque Events with three Directors of Company X Consulting Group, who were substantial investors in Steve and Benn’s 2022 charity event. It made sense to combine the financial power of the Company X Consulting Group with the motoring, fundraising passion and drive of Benn and Steve. Together the five Directors have created something exciting and unique, which is Torque Events.
Torque Events arrange the ultimate luxury, fully escorted, driving events and tours across the UK, Europe and beyond, ensuring unforgettable experiences of the best roads, destinations, and hotels.
Speaking about their fundraising and partnering with SSAFA, Benn said: “To date we have raised over £750,000 for military charities. We first approached SSAFA in 2014 and were so impressed with their wide range of work across the breadth of the Armed Forces community. SSAFA have been a fully supportive partner over the last 10 years.”
The two men are now gearing up for the 2024 edition of their flagship event, A Driving Force for SSAFA. This biennial charity event involves one hundred people, in fifty vehicles, including participants and support vehicles, on an exhilarating 10-day journey across scenic European routes. This year’s route will cover the Iberian Peninsula and Gibraltar from 30 July to 9 August 2024, with the aim of raising £120,000 for SSAFA.
A spokesperson from SSAFA said, “Benn and Steve have done a remarkable job raising funds for SSAFA, while simultaneously providing hundreds of people with an unforgettable experience cruising through the UK and Europe’s most scenic spots in classic and modern cars. All at SSAFA send Benn and Steve their heartfelt congratulations on receiving the Sir James Gildea Global Partner Award.”
