Truckers Cleaning Up Britain
1730. Martin Burrows
Martin Burrows, from Stafford, is an RAF veteran and HGV driver who founded ‘Truckers Cleaning up Britain’, a 2,000 strong army of truckers clearing the nation’s lay-bys, truck stops and delivery depots.
Martin set up the group to help counter the stereotype of lay-bys and roadsides being covered in litter caused by HGV drivers, and to encourage his fellow truckers to become part of the solution, rather than the problem, by conducting regular clean-ups during breaks and rest periods as part of their shifts. Martin has also worked with ‘Moto’ to clear litter at service stations across the Midlands.
In a personal letter to Martin, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I want to thank you for your fantastic initiative ‘Truckers Cleaning Up Britain’.
“You served your nation in the Royal Air Force and you are now serving your country in a new way. With your thousands of volunteer truckers you have cleared huge swathes of the countryside.
“You and your fellow truckers are not only carrying essential supplies across the UK, but stopping to clear up litter and making our country cleaner.”
In response to receiving the award, Martin said:
“I would like to thank you for the award which is a thank you to all those that have joined ‘TRUCKERS Cleaning Up Britain.
“And goes a long way to recognise that HGV drivers do take care of their environment.”