Waitrose & Partners drivers win at Microlise Awards 2020

^{Image shows Tim Watson on the left and Paul Galbraith on the right.}

Drivers from Waitrose & Partners have won the Extra Mile and HGV Hero categories at the Microlise Driver of The Year Awards 2020.

Paul Galbraith from Waitrose & Partners won in the Extra Mile category. A professional driver for 35 years, Paul delivers groceries to Waitrose stores in the South and South-West of England. According to his managers, Paul will change shifts and drop anything for them if needed and will go the extra mile for any cause that he is involved in. When he is not working - and mentoring and supporting other drivers - Paul is an active member of his local community. He is a volunteer in the local Scout movement and also hosts primary schools visits at his local Bracknell depot to promote a career in logistics and support road safety education.

Paul’s ‘can do’ attitude has an incredibly positive impact on the business and it rubs off on his peers so that new drivers entering the Partnership are encouraged to get the most from their chosen profession.

The Microlise Driver of the Year HGV Hero Award recognises drivers who have gone above and beyond to respond safely, professionally and with great community spirit when faced with potential human tragedy on our roads.

Tim Watson who has been driving for Waitrose & Partners for over seventeen years has been recognised for his outstanding courage in saving someone from significant injury. The incident happened when a car aquaplaned off the M3, flipped over a barrier and rolled partway down a steep slope where a slender tree held it.  With no sign of any vehicles either in front or behind her, the woman found herself trapped in her car and out of sight of the motorway.

Tim was driving about half a mile behind when he thought he saw headlights moving quickly to the left and then rising up into the air. Instead of simply driving past, he drove down the slip road to check for debris; when he found none he scrambled up a dark, steep, muddy and slippery slope in torrential rain and spotted the car. He called emergency services while he talked to the victim, urging her to remain still as he could see that the car was perilously close to becoming dislodged and sliding further down the embankment. Once he had briefed the police, ambulance and fire service he slipped away. The driver of the car subsequently got his details from the police and wrote to Waitrose to highlight the incident and to extend her heartfelt thanks.