PRESS RELEASE
Warm tributes have been paid to company secretary Jayne Gray who was tragically killed in a road accident during a fund raising cycle challenge for logistics charity Transaid in Zambia.
Mother of two Jayne, who was also the financial controller of family haulage business H & R Gray, a member of the Palletline network, was fatally injured after a collision during the Cycle Zambia Challenge.
Another cyclist – a support team member from Dream Challenges – was also seriously injured in the incident and remains in hospital, although their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
The driver of the vehicle involved is in police custody. Investigations into the collision are ongoing.
Jayne, 49, was an enthusiastic people manager at the 71-year-old family-owned company, which had been based at the Bandeath Industrial Estate near Stirling since 2001.
Managing director of Palletline, Graham Leitch, said this week: “H&R Gray has been a valued member of the Palletline family covering the FK postcodes since February 2015, and we are deeply saddened by the news of Jayne’s untimely death.
“Everyone at Palletline would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Gray family and everyone involved in the business.”
A statement from the charity Transaid said: “It is with great shock and immense sadness that we share news of the loss of one of our fundraisers, Jayne Gray, the Financial Controller at family business H & R Gray Haulage in Stirling, was taking part in her third cycle challenge with us.
“Jayne leaves husband Robin, and two sons. We are supporting Jayne’s family and would ask you to please respect their privacy at this time of intense grief.”
Transaid’s Chairperson Jo Godsmark, a friend of Jayne’s and her roommate on the trip, said from Zambia: “We are all in deep shock at what has happened and are struggling to come to terms with the loss of such a vibrant, funny and courageous woman as Jayne. Our thoughts and sympathies go to Jayne’s family and friends.”
“Transaid’s team, together with Dream Challenges, is providing local support.
All other team members are safe and have been taken to a hotel, and we are arranging for them to travel home.”
Transaid’s Chief Executive Caroline Barber, who travelled from Uganda to Zambia to be with the team. said: “We are numb. Jayne was a hugely well-respected figure within the industry and a loyal supporter of Transaid.
“As an organisation with such a close-knit network of supporters we know Jayne’s loss will be felt across the transport and logistics sector.”
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