Collection crews create a special moment for young Milton Keynes resident after four-year tradition
A young boy from Milton Keynes received an unforgettable surprise when his local bin collection crews came together to mark the end of a beloved weekly ritual known in his family as 'Truck Fridays with Nanny Nik'.
For the past four years, ‘bin day’ has been the highlight of the week for five year old Carter Folland.
Every Truck Friday with Nanny Nik, Carter and his grandmother Nikki Folland would wait and watch the collection crews arrive and come down their street, often following the route around Crownhill Estate and getting to know the team by name, line up bins ready for the loaders and bring out his remote control truck to reverse alongside the collection vehicles.
His connection began when contract supervisor, Shane Markey would regularly stop to say hello.
With Carter starting school this autumn, the weekly tradition was coming to a close. To make his final Truck Friday one to remember, Shane went the extra mile to create something memorable. He arranged for all three collection services after their rounds to visit Carter together, giving him the chance to fulfil a long-held dream – having his photo taken with all three trucks and crews.
The team also presented him with a SUEZ gift bag, including a child sized hi-vis vest, activity books, a and other small goodies. His grandmother later shared a picture of Carter proudly wearing his new kit.
Grandmother 'Nanny Nik' said: “He’s looked forward to bin day every week, all of the crews are such lovely people and have always treated him with such kindness.
"He always wanted to see all three trucks together – he talked about it constantly – so when driver Steve mentioned it to Shane and they made it happen, we were truly grateful. It was amazing and he absolutely loved it. The send-off meant the world to him.
"I would also like to thank every member of the crews who do an amazing job in all weathers, week in, week out. It’s a memory he will never forget.”
Shane Markey, Contract Supervisor at SUEZ, said: “He’s been part of our Fridays for years, and we wanted to give him something special to remember. Seeing his face when the trucks arrived made it all worth it.”