ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Milkman Who Hasn't Missed A Shift In 50 Years Forced To Retire After Masked Thief Stole Float

Milkman Who Hasn't Missed A Shift In 50 Years Forced To Retire After Masked Thief Stole Float

Heartbreakingly John Kershaw decided to hand-write to his 200 customers explaining the reason for his retirement

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

WARNING: POTENTIALLY DISTRESSING IMAGES

A poppy-selling milkman in Greater Manchester, who has never missed a shift in 50 years, has been forced to retire - after a masked thief beat him up and stole his float.

Devastated John Kershaw, 65, should be celebrating half a century in the trade this year but has now quit after he was battered with a baseball bat.

He was pulled out of his van and attacked midway through his morning round on Easter Monday (22 April).

Following the attack, John Kershaw has had to retire from delivering milk.
SWNS

The granddad-of-four was rushed to hospital where he was treated for intense bruising to his face and body.

John had another van robbed in January and as a result he decided to retire from delivering milk just shy of his 50-year anniversary, which he would have celebrated in August.

He and his wife Jill, 64, decided to write to his 200 customers explaining the reason behind his retirement.

The heartbreaking letter that was sent to all of his 200 customers.
SWNS

John, from Littleborough, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, said: "I had my van stolen three months ago in a different attack. I could have retired last year but I really wanted it to make it to 50 years in the trade.

"Making it to 50 was always my goal so it's a shame I've not been able to make it. But I just thought to myself I can't got on."

The dad-of-two was halfway through his shift on Monday morning when a masked thug targeted him and pulled him out of his float.

He was beaten for several minutes before the balaclava-clad thief drove off with the float, and John was rushed to Oldham General Hospital.

John on his milk round in September 1980.
SWNS

He said: "I had just got in my car when this man in a balaclava just reached for the door. He pulled me out and dragged me across the floor. I decided to keep a baseball bat in the van after the last attack.

"I went in to get it but he grabbed it off me and started beating me with it. It was a good few minutes but it felt like forever. I had a bum bag on round my waist at the time, which had a spare set of keys in.

"He rifled through that before yelling, 'Give me the keys - you're old, man, I don't want to have to kill you.' Then he got in the car and drove off.

"When I went to the hospital the doctors did a CT scan and all the works. As I was waiting for them to examine me I realised one of my teeth was very loose. I haven't fractured anything but I came out of there very bruised and battered."

John wanted to retire in August even though he could have taken the step last year.
SWNS

After speaking to Jill, a retired NHS worker, he decided it was time to call it a day.

He got self-employed plumber son John Henry Kershaw, 34, and daughter Helen, 40, to deliver the notes to his customers in and around Rochdale last night (23 April).

John left school in 1969 to join the family milking business, set up by his dad Dennis Kershaw back in 1953. For almost five decades the committed milkman has made 4am drives to the depot, delivering bottles of milk to the people of Rochdale.

John, who also helps to sell poppies in local pubs and clubs, said: "It's always a job I've enjoyed doing. Both my mum and dad delivered milk so it's something which has always been close to my heart.

"I always tried to do it early, as if you deliver it after 7.30am you'll be hit by the traffic, which isn't helpful to people taking their kids to school and those going to work.

Delivering milk is something that was close to John's heart after his mum and dad both did the job.
SWNS

"I thought it [hand-writing the letter] was a nicer touch than for it to be typed out so I dictated to Jill what I wanted to say. I then signed it. She wrote it out four times on a piece of paper and we photocopied it 50 times.

"Jill then cut them up and I got my children to go round to all the customers I've served for years. It started as a family business and I suppose in a way it's ended like that. I've got someone who I think will be a good fit to take over the business."

A GoFundMe page has been set up by horrified customers hoping to raise cash for the committed milkman, - you can donate by clicking here.

Some of the comments from people on GoFundMe.
GoFundMe

A spokesman from Greater Manchester Police told LADbible: "Police were called after a man was assaulted and his vehicle stolen on Waithlands Road, Rochdale at around 6.30am on Monday 22 April 2019.

"The victim, a man in his 60s, was approached by an unknown man who demanded he hand over the keys to his vehicle. The offender then assaulted the victim with a baseball bat before stealing his vehicle - a silver Vauxhall combi van.

"The offender is described as white, around 5ft 6ins tall. He was wearing black clothing and a balaclava. Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4810quoting incident number 484 of 22/04/19 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, News, UK