Young people’s education company puts its name to supporting our Armed Forces Community  

Right Trax, based in Ingleby Barwick, is an education company which uses motorcycles as part of its programme to engage with young people aged 12 to 16 who have become disengaged from mainstream education.

Instructors help the young people gain basic motorcycle maintenance and riding skills – an exciting and positive learning experience which helps pave the way for the students to gain Level 1 Skills for Employment, Training and Development, which in turn helps them get into a college or a job.

The company already has strong links with the Armed Forces. Before setting up the company, Senior Director Gary Elliston BEM served for 30 years in the Army, including being the Team Sergeant/choreography of the Royal Signals White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team. His wife, Company Director Christine Elliston, served for three years in the Women’s Royal Army Corps.

In signing the Armed Forces Covenant, a company commits to support the Armed Forces community and recognises the value that serving personnel, both Regular and Reservists, and Veterans and military families contribute to its business and to the country.

Gary Elliston of Right Trax (second from the right) and Richard H. Tucker sign the Covenant, watched by Councillor Chris Wallace and the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Carole Thompson

Mr Elliston – who works with the cadet forces during the summer - said: “We are very proud indeed to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, especially given my and Christine’s previous military service.

“We are keen to start looking for Armed Forces veterans to employ. I’m sure they will have many excellent skills to pass onto our students during their training and they will also be able to help advise any of our young people who are interested in pursuing a career in the Armed Forces.”

Richard H. Tucker MBE, Co-Chair of the Gold Award Association for the Armed Forces Covenant and Associate Member of the Reserve Forces Cadets Association, said: “Those signing the Armed Forces Covenant send out a clear signal that they will support our servicemen and women and veterans, and their families, with respect and understanding and not in any way disadvantage them.

“It’s particularly important to mention the need for understanding, because what often goes unnoticed are the unseen disabilities that ex-service people come back with.

“The other vital element which the Covenant recognises is the immense contribution made by service families.”

Councillor Chris Wallace, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “Many congratulations to Right Trax – I very much hope other local firms and organisations will follow their lead and sign up.

“Signing the Covenant shows people leaving the Armed Forces that the employer will understand the experiences they have had and the many skills that they bring.

“However, it’s far more than that – I know that a company which has signed the Covenant will have a well-disciplined team possessing an excellent range of qualities and abilities.”

Any Hartlepool companies or organisations interested in signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant should contact Joan Stevens, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Statutory Scrutiny Manager, on 01429 284142 or email joan.stevens@hartlepool.gov.uk.