Recently Kammac took part in the incredible Southport Together charity truck run!
Craig Banks, Kammac’s Driver Trainer played a key role in getting the company involved, and in this Q&A, he shares how it all came together, from the last-minute preparations to the incredible atmosphere on the day.
How did you first hear about the charity truck run for Southport Together?
I first heard about the “Southport Together” charity event from my partner, Sharon, who saw it advertised on her Facebook page. We didn’t have much time—only finding out on the Monday before the Truck Run that Saturday—so I went straight to our CEO, Ged Carabini to get things moving. Sharon then confirmed with the organisers that Kammac would kindly be attending with one of our vehicles.
What inspired you to not only personally get involved but also encourage Kammac to take part in this event?
Sharon, originally from Southport, thought this would be a wonderful event to support. It was such a heartbreaking time when the three little girls lost their lives, and I felt this would be a meaningful way for the community to come together. After talking it over with Sharon, I reached out to Ged the next day to get approval for Kammac to take part. Ged was incredibly supportive and agreed not only to our involvement but also to purchase some items for the event. On top of that, Kammac made a generous donation of £250, which I was, and I’m sure the charity was, overwhelmed by.
Can you walk us through the preparation process? How did you and the team approach decorating the truck and preparing for the event?
Once Ged gave the green light, he asked me and the Marketing team to brainstorm ideas. We had a meeting at Head Office with Peter, Sam, and the team. We knew from Facebook that the theme was going to be pink and white, with bows, flowers, lights, and lots of noise—the more, the better! Between us, we came up with a plan, including a large pink banner for the front of the truck, big pink bows, pink and white LED lights, and smaller pink bows to decorate the vehicle.
On Friday, I took the truck to get professionally cleaned so it would look its absolute best. Later that day, with help from Marketing, we started dressing it up with all the decorations, which, I’m sure you’ll agree, looked fantastic! My partner and I also bought a few extra touches, like pink balloons and two helium balloons that we attached to the truck’s mirrors.
What was the atmosphere like on the day of the event? How did it feel to be part of such a large community effort?
The atmosphere—OMG! I’ve been involved in carnivals and the odd truck show before, but nothing came close to the energy and excitement of this event, especially with the entire Southport community coming together in support. The buzz and electricity in the air were incredible.
The route took us down small country lanes, main roads, and through villages and built-up areas, led by escort vehicles. It was a journey that took over an hour, ending at Southport’s Pleasure Beach. The whole experience was just unforgettable.
Were there any moments during the event that were particularly moving or memorable for you?
There were so many moments that stirred different emotions. When we first arrived and joined the queue with the other trucks, the energy was already building. A few times, all the trucks honked their horns together—it gave you this amazing happy buzz and made everyone smile. The mood among the drivers was just electric. Then, when we got the announcement to start, the horns blasted again, and the excitement was unbelievable.
Throughout the entire journey, people lined the streets, waving, cheering, and filming as we passed. One of the most moving parts was seeing people not just cheering, but pointing to our banner, clapping, and some even getting emotional. It really drove home the significance of the event for the community.
On the final leg, when we drove down Lord Street—the main street in Southport—people came out of restaurants and stood up outside pubs, cheering and raising their hands. The cheers were so loud they even drowned out the sound of the truck horns, and trust me, those horns were loud! It was a moment I’ll never forget.
Why do you believe it’s important for companies like Kammac to participate in local charity events like this?
Being involved in something that holds real meaning for people is a big deal. Everyone knows someone who can connect with these kinds of events, whether it’s raising money for a children’s nursery, a cancer charity, or, in this case, Southport Together, where innocent children tragically lost their lives. It shows that we’re not just a business focused on profits—we have a heart, too, and that’s especially important in times like these.
It also brings the community together. Whether people are just stepping outside to cheer as the procession passes or being part of the parade, events like this give everyone a chance to get involved and feel like they’re contributing to something bigger.
