Thank you Bates! Huge Clap For Carers convoy honours NHS workers

People have been wowed by the sight of a huge convoy of Bates Dairy milk floats and other vehicles during Clap For Carers on Thursday night. 

Dozens of vehicles drove past Southport and Formby District General Hospital as their way of showing their respects to NHS staff and other key workers on the frontline against coronavirus. 

The convoy was organised by staff at Southport firm Bates Dairy, which is based on Stamford Road in Birkdale. The family-owned firm has been delivering milk to homes since 1939 and is one of the largest independent dairies in Britain. 

There has since been a huge reaction to the huge show of appreciation, with some great videos shared in the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group. 

Bates director Steven Bates said an incredible fleet of 43 vehicles took part in the convoy, with another 15 Bates vehicles left behind at the yard!

He said: “This was a one-off event. although we may do another one later one to celebrate the end of lockdown.

“This was to say thank you to everyone who works in the NHS.

“Lots of people have thanked everyone at Bates for going out and delivering, but what we do is nothing compared to what they face in the NHS. They are facing people dying and putting their own lives at risk and we wanted to thank them for what they do for everyone else.”

When the convoy set out from the Bates Dairy yard, Steven was in one of the lorries at the back. The firm’s wagons have been liveried with a special message thanking the NHS.

He said: “I was in the last vehicle at the back. As the convoy turned around at the roundabout, all I saw was a huge procession of our vehicles driving past. It was unbelievable.

“I knew we had a lot of vehicles, but I have never seen so many all out on the road together at once. ”

The convoy has enjoyed a fantastic response from all who saw it.

Speaking on the Bates Facebook page, Sam Jones said: “This was amazing to watch go past the hospital! A group of us did clap for carers outside Southport Hospital A&E and then ran over to the road to appreciate the drive-by. Lovely moment to be part of!”

Lorraine Shaw said: “Thank you Bates – you are all doing a fantastic job. You have delivered my Mum and Dad milk for years and have never let them down too. Well done.”

Rachel Pedder said: “Amazing. This made me fill up. Lovely thing to do.”

Joanne Jarman said: “Love it, amazing job. Thank you for all the hard work you all do through this difficult time and all year round.”

Jose Mitchell said: “Didn’t realise you had so many vehicles. A wonderful show of thanks and appreciation for our NHS.”

Heather MacDonald said: “Well done Bates! You will always hold a massive place in my heart as my dad worked there for years. I was born when he worked there and I’m 44 now. Great work tonight.”

The idea for the convoy came from workers at the dairy. 

Bates milkman Terry Southwood said: “We had banners made just to say thanks to the NHS and all care workers and essential workers for what they are doing in this crazy time of life we are living through at the moment.”

The lockdown has seen thousands of Southport people confined to their homes and struggling to access online supermarket deliveries, while others are fearful of going out shopping.

For them, local independent Southport firms such as Bates, which have stepped up local deliveries, have proved to be a lifeline.

Stevan Bates said: “We have been really, really busy. We have picked up lots of new customers since the lockdown began.

“But we have also lost a lot of business that we used to do elsewhere, such as delivering to cafes, restaurants and other businesses like that, which has fallen to zero. ”

But local residents are grateful being able to have milk, cheese, other dairy products, bread and other goods delivered to their doors six days. Bates supplies over 10,000 doorstep and wholesale customers across Merseyside, Wirral and Lancashire in their fleet of eco-friendly electric milk floats, modern vans and hard working wagons.

Stevan Bates said: “I think a lot of people we have started delivering to have been very appreciative that we have managed to get out and supply them. The feedback has been really good, and I am sure will continue to be once lockdown is over.”

You can find the Bates website at: www.batesdairy.co.uk

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