SOUTH West Truckers Cornwall once again arranged for a convoy of 45 vehicles to take a group of children/young adults from the local area, who have either experienced or are experiencing challenging difficulties, out for an action-packed, fun-filled day on Saturday, May 19.

Drivers congregated at Bude Rugby Club to register and enjoyed a bacon sandwich whilst waiting for their passengers to arrive. Passengers began to arrive at 9.45am and were introduced to their driver and presented with a goodie bag, which included a personalised baseball cap, key rings, Easter eggs, water bottles, sweets, an ice cream voucher for their day out and many other items.

Dawn Bewes, of Holsworthy, kindly took a photograph of each group in front of their designated lorry, to ensure each person had a special keepsake.

The convoy left Bude Rugby Club at 10.30am and travelled out of Bude and onto the A39 for a journey to The Milky Way Adventure Park near Clovelly.

Convoy organiser Reggie Vanstone said: “The atmosphere was electric as the air horns blasted and the passenger waved at the people who were out in abundance to see this amazing sight.”

Along the way, further photographs were kindly taken by Daryl Parkhouse and crew, Edgar Mills and a lot of the general public. On arrival at The Milky Way, each lorry driver, along with their passenger and carer, were admitted free of charge courtesy of The Milky Way.

Whilst at The Milky Way, fun was had by all. Big and little children alike enjoyed the roller coasters, jumping pillows, a birds of prey show and dodgems sessions to name but a few. At 3.30pm, everybody gathered back at the lorries, where a group photograph was taken.

All passengers then boarded their lorries again for the return journey to Bude Rugby Club. The return journey was just as atmospheric as the outbound, with plenty of smiling faces and a lot of hooting. People dispersed with huge smiles on their faces having had a thoroughly enjoyable day all round.

Reggie said: “Huge thanks must go to Petra Horton of Bude Rugby Club for her excellent hospitality, The Milky Way for their kindness and generosity, Dawn Bewes, Daryl Parkhouse and Edgar Mills for their photographs. Huge thanks must also go to Philip Cook for his help and escort vehicle services. Thanks also to all other escort vehicle drivers. Thanks must also go to Rob Heckbert for providing a minibus service for other passengers to get to and from The Milky Way. Massive thanks must also go to our sponsors, which allowed us to provide some pretty amazing goody bags, Devon Truck Show 2019, John Nickle (Autosmart), Tesco Braunton, D S Smith Packaging, Waitrose Holsworthy and Harpers Feeds and Farm Supplies, Holsworthy.”

He added: “Finally, massive thanks to all of the drivers and vehicle owners for giving their time and vehicles, as without these, the convoy would not have been possible.”

Here’s looking forward to South West Truckers Convoy 2020.