Video and photos of the last ever NHS thank you convoy through the Harborough area

Thousands of people spilled out on to the streets of Market Harborough, Lubenham and Marston Trussell on Thursday night to give the final NHS convoy a thunderous send-off.

Men, women and children poured out to clap and cheer as 52-vehicle Covid-19 cavalcade stormed past their homes on their sixth and last 60-minute showpiece.

If you can't view the view in this article, click here: https://youtu.be/wkzCeBye-04Key convoy organiser Craig Davies, 46, told the Harborough Mail: “It was absolutely phenomenal – I’m still buzzing!

“We’ve had incredible support from the people of Market Harborough, Lubenham and Marston since we started doing this to salute the NHS and all our critical workers.

“But this topped the lot - it was the best response we’ve had yet and that’s saying one heck of a lot.”

Craig, who owns Marston-based CJ Sweepers, said they motored off from the Innovation Centre on the edge of Harborough at about 7.45pm on a balmy May evening.

“We streamed past St Luke’s Hospital and on down Leicester Road past the police, fire and ambulance stations.

“We could see police officers and ambulance drivers waving at us as we carried on,” said the dad-of-two.

“We moved on bumper-to-bumper on to Northampton Road, Bath Street and along Western Avenue - which was rammed and crammed.

“There were people everywhere we looked.

“Kids, old people, mums and dads banging saucepans.

“It was overwhelming to see and they made a massive din getting behind us – it was a vibrant carnival-type atmosphere.

“We continued on past hundreds of people on Welland Park Road, Springfield Street, Bowden Road and Alvington Way.

“We then headed out of Harborough along Coventry Road and Lubenham Hill before getting more brilliant receptions from villagers in Lubenham and Marston.

“They all did us proud – and our amazing NHS frontline staff and essential workers proud at the same time.”

Craig revealed that he helped to get Harborough’s convoy off the start line in April after being struck down by the coronavirus himself.

“I contracted it for three weeks after being hit in late March.

“Luckily I live on my own in Marston so I wasn’t going to pass it on to anyone else,” said the businessman.

“But NHS staff were fantastic looking after me from start to finish.

“So I was determined to do my best to say a big thank you to the entire health service in a powerful, highly-visual way.”

Craig also said CJ Sweepers are doing their bit to combat seriously-infectious Covid-19.

“We are getting called out by police at all hours of the day and night to disinfect the roads after car crashes and accidents,” he said.

“We are also helping to disinfect building sites and footpaths.

“I would also like to thank all the guys who have taken part in the NHS convoy here from the start.

“They’ve been excellent, giving up their time and putting in the effort, and I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

Along with Market Harborough-based Peppers Metal Recycling and Kettering firm K2 Recovery, Craig’s also helped to launch a high-profile appeal to raise cash for the under-pressure Harborough-based Jubilee Foodbank.

The campaign had raked in an extraordinary £1,427 by Friday morning – crashing through the £500 target they had set themselves.

“I believe the appeal will be live until Sunday before the cash is handed over to this fantastic foodbank.

“So please donate what ever you can while you can,” urged Craig.

“And, meanwhile, I just want to thank again every single person who has come out to support us over the last few weeks.

“You’ve meant the world to us and the memories will stay with us all for ever.”