Doncaster bin men put together grand tribute for Doncaster Royal Infirmary

Crews at the borough’s bins depot at Kirk Sandall transformed their rubbish trucks by pasting giant ‘Thank-you’ murals onto all of them to perform a grand-scale drive past of the whole fleet at Doncaster Royal Infirmary for the NHS staff there to see.

The collection crews say they have been overwhelmed on their rounds with well-wishers thanking them with artwork and chocolates for the essential service they are providing for residents during the Covid-19 pandemic. They says this way has meant a huge amount to them and wanted to return the favour.

The drive past was the crews’ plan, and their managers at contractor Suez backed it.

Suez driver Paul Bowland, from Kirk Sandall Depot, said: “We have been so grateful for all the thank you messages that residents have given us. It has really boosted us whilst we’ve been working hard to keep waste and recycling collections running. We just wanted to find a way for us to thank NHS staff and other key workers who are doing such a good job in really difficult times. We thought a fleet drive-past the hospital to show our appreciation and thanks would be a good thing to do.”

Suez contract manager for Doncaster, Victoria Crabtree, said: “It was great that the crews came up with the idea as they clearly have experienced first-hand what a difference it can make to morale to be thanked.

“They were humbled and very much wanted to take this opportunity to thank NHS staff and other key workers.

“I’m really proud of all the hard work the Suez team in Doncaster has put in to keep kerbside collections running during this unprecedented pandemic and national lockdown.”

Coun Chris McGuinness, cabinet member for the environment at Doncaster Council said: “The waste and collection crews have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic and emerged as heroes in keeping things moving in and around Doncaster which we’ve seen in the public’s appreciation of them.”