Leicestershire milkman Tony Fowler MBE has received a Milk Hero Award for being the eyes and ears of his local community for over a quarter of a century.
Tony, who has already been recognised with an MBE and a pride of Britain award for services to the local community, currently operates in the town of Melton Mowbray and has delivered milk to over 800 customers in 22 villages for over 25 years, never missing a day’s delivery.
Whilst Tony is a businessman, his activities set him apart from others in that he possesses a real concern for the communities he delivers milk to. He embodies the community spirit by ensuring vulnerable people on his milk round are safe and cared for.
Helping to ensure the safety of the community, Tony has assisted police officers in catching a string of criminals, successfully foiling burglaries and keeping an eye out for any suspicious behaviour.
Tony also looks out for the elderly and regularly calls at the homes of vulnerable people to make sure they have essentials. If he encounters a problem, Tony will contact the authorities to ensure assistance arrives.
John Mulloy, sales manager at Cotteswold Dairy who nominated Mr Fowler, said: “Tony not only goes the extra mile, but lives and breathes a true sense of community. His hands-on approach to his customers is remarkable.
“There are so many examples which demonstrate the type of milkman Tony really is – he does a lot more than simply delivering the daily pinta. From identifying when the elderly need medical assistance or alerting police to early morning criminal activity, Tony has always gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the vulnerable are safe and cared for.”
Dr Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK, said: “Milkmen and women can often be a lifeline for the elderly, the housebound and the vulnerable. We would like to congratulate Tony on the outstanding service he provides for the community.”
