TORONTO, Ont. — Markel Insurance policyholders have the chance to upgrade their drivers’ skills while also contributing to the Bring Ryan Home fundraising campaign.

Markel has announced that the proceeds generated from all training courses offered the week of July 19-23 will go towards the Bring Ryan Home fundraising campaign. Ryan Gallaher is the son of International Truckload Services (ITS) employee Lisa Hamilton. He’s been stranded in Asia since being involved in a motorcycle accident in Vietnam June 4. The family has already incurred $120,000 in debt and is raising funds to cover the $150,000 needed to get Gallaher, still comatose, back to Canada via medi-vac.

ITS has been raising funds for the family and providing updates via the www.BringRyanHome.ca Web site.

Markel hopes its policyholders will take the opportunity to help out as well.

“The Canadian Trucking industry has a long history of pulling together to help each other in times of need. As a member of Canada’s trucking community, we felt it was important for us to find a way to help and raise awareness among our family,” Markel said in a letter to policyholders. “We will be donating 100% of the proceeds from all Markel training courses held the week of July 19-23 to the Bring Ryan Home fund. If you were considering registering in a Markel training course, now is your chance to make a difference to someone in need at the same time.”

For info on courses, visit www.markel.ca.