A fleet of haulage trucks have been named after keyworker heroes across the Black Country and West Birmingham, in honour of their hard work and commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BJS Haulage, a logistics company based in Wednesbury, wanted to recognise community heroes by naming its new nine-strong fleet of trucks after local keyworkers who have made a real difference in the community.

Last Saturday the keyworkers had the opportunity to visit their trucks for the first time, along with family and friends.

One of the keyworkers who had a truck named after them is Walsall Healthcare’s David Dabbs, Distribution Lead.

David is responsible for ensuring all consumables are sorted and allocated to the 30 wards at Walsall Manor Hospital, which includes various items from bed pans to medical items. Last year this also meant a huge rise in PPE which had to be checked and despatched to the correct department as soon as possible, a critical contribution during the pandemic.

He  said: “It’s been a horrendous year with the pandemic, working hard to keep the wards supplied to protect the staff. It’s the job, so you do what you have to do, but I’m honoured and humbled to get this recognition.”

Amarat Gill, Operations Director at BJS Haulage said: “The logistics industry and the NHS kept the country moving during COVID, so it was great to honour local keyworkers by naming trucks after them. It was great for them to ‘meet’ their trucks on the weekend.”

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “A huge thank you to BJS Haulage for this heart-warming gesture. Our colleagues across the Black Country and West Birmingham have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, and we’re delighted that they have been recognised in such a unique way.

“I’m sure they’ve loved seeing their trucks in person for the first time, after all it’s not every day that you get a truck named after you. If you see the trucks on your travels, please give it a wave!”