Television personalities Paddy McGuinness and Sam Thompson recently traded their usual studio settings for the cab of a state-of-the-art electric lorry, embarking on a special festive mission for charity.
From Spotlight to High-Vis: An Unlikely Delivery Duo
The pair were tasked with a unique challenge: piloting one of Amazon's new electric heavy goods vehicles, packed with essential donations, to support The Multibank initiative. The charitable scheme, established by Amazon in 2022, is designed to tackle poverty by redistributing surplus goods from companies directly to families and individuals in need.
Paddy, who holds a valid HGV licence, took the wheel of the all-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 truck. This vehicle is among the first from the UK's largest-ever order of electric HGVs last month, representing a significant move in Amazon's plan to decarbonise its transport network. Sam Thompson joined him as an enthusiastic, if somewhat underprepared, 'Driver's Mate'.
A Delivery with More Than a Few Surprises
Speaking about the experience, Paddy McGuinness remarked, "I've driven plenty of electric vehicles, but this was my first time behind the wheel of an electric HGV." He added that making a special Amazon delivery to families requiring The Multibank's support this Christmas, while also benefiting the environment, was an easy decision.
For Sam Thompson, the reality of the job quickly set in. The role involved considerably more heavy lifting and loading than he had anticipated, with little time for chit-chat. Sam joked, "When I got the call up from Amazon to be Paddy's mate, I jumped at the idea. I thought we'd catch up, grab brunch, maybe belt out some karaoke. Being a 'Driver's Mate' is a lot harder than it looks."
Paddy offered some light-hearted feedback on his partner's performance: "Love the lad to bits but he's going to need to up his Driver's Mate game for any future deliveries. The more deliveries we can make with vehicles like these, the better for everyone and the planet."
Supporting Communities and a Sustainable Future
The duo's journey began at an Amazon warehouse in St Helens before they delivered the supplies to The Brick Multibank in Wigan. Their efforts contributed to a much larger national impact. To date, the six Multibank distribution centres across the UK have provided over 12 million essential items to more than 800,000 families.
Beyond the banter and the heavy lifting, both stars highlighted the importance of the initiative. Sam Thompson concluded, "Jokes aside, it's brilliant to see the work Amazon is doing to make all our deliveries more sustainable." Their special delivery run successfully combined celebrity power, cutting-edge green technology, and crucial charitable support in the lead-up to the festive season.
