The Sunderland milkman who has never missed a day in 34 years! And just look at the shift he puts in every day

After all, he has never missed a day of delivering milk to 350 houses in 34 years of running his own business. He also delivers to care homes, children’s nurseries and a school and in all types of weather.

He gets up at just after midnight and delivers until 8.30 the next morning every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, he will do collections.

But despite all that hard work, he modestly said: “It is just something you get used to.”

But unassuming John is in the spotlight because he has been put forward for a Portfolio Award.

He is one of the first nominations we have had for this year’s prestigious Sunderland business awards. The nomination for him said: “He has worked through the pandemic for the elderly, care homes, children’s nurseries and Sunningdale School to name but a few.

"He has never let this customers down. In all weathers, he goes out while other people are tucked up in bed and never does he complain,

"He is 65 years old and is not interested in stopping and letting his customers down. I think he deserves to be awarded and I’m sure most of his customers would agree.”

John serves the Grindon, Ford and Thorney Close areas and admitted he would be ‘over the moon’ if he won.

He added: “I have never been nominated for anything before. I go out in all weathers, the good and the bad and I do it with a lad helping me.

"A lot of my customers are old and then can not get out the house, especially at the moment with the lockdown. I can’t let the customers down.”

John has never taken a day off sick in 34 years. But despite his amazing record, he said he was ‘very surprised’ to be nominated for an award.

Sunderland City Council is once again the headline sponsor of the Portfolio Awards.

The partner sponsors for this year’s awards are Utillity Alliance, Gentoo, the Autism Society, Station Taxis and Bradley Hall.

The search for the elite of town industry is back and it is the first Portfolio Awards since the coronavirus changed the world.

The first entries in the awards have already been submitted with John following soon after.

But we need more and now it is over to you.

THE CATEGORIES.

Small Business of the Year (under 10 Employees).

Medium Business of the Year (11-50 employees).

Large Business of the Year ( over 50 employees).

Employer of the Year.

Apprentice of the Year.

Technology of the Year.

City Centre Business of the Year.

Creative Industries Award.

Sole Trader of the Year.

New Business of the Year.

Special Community Business Award.

Best Green Business Award.

Social Enterprise Award.

Best Training Provider Award.

Exporter of the Year.

Women in Business Award.

Leisure Business Award.

Lifetime Achievement Award.

Overall Business of the Year.

HOW TO ENTER.

There’s plenty of time to enter before the closing date for nominations and we will reveal them in due course. Then, the judges will then select a shortlist.

All finalists will get to attend the grand finale on Thursday, June 24 next year, at the Stadium of Light.

To enter, visit here.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.