Foodstuffs Palmerston North made a young boy's dream come true on Saturday by giving him a ride in a 8 x 4 tractor unit.
Upon receiving a handwritten letter to 'Mr Foodstuffs' asking for a Scania truck late last year, managing director Murray Jordan organised for six-year-old Joshua Bell to have a ride in one of their goods trucks. Being an avid lover of trucks, Joshua wants to be a truck driver one day and one of his favourite activities is what his grandmother Kathy Jordan terms 'truck spotting'.
"Joshua can identify what make of truck is coming from quite some distance and his knowledge is rather remarkable. He even keeps a log book of all the trucks that go by," she said.
Joshua accompanied senior driver trainer Bob Martin on a 45-minute ride, going from Sanson to Ashhurst and back to the depot. As well as a trip in the truck, Joshua was given a personalised high-visibility vest and ID, foodstuffs T-shirt, a cap, beanie and drink bottle. He was also given a tour of the distribution centre.
"My favourite part of the day was talking to another driver on the radio and seeing the truck from up high," said Joshua excitedly.
AF Logistics operations manager Richard Giles was impressed by Joshua's knowledge and willingness to approach a big company.
"Most kids seem to like big vehicles like trucks and fire engines but Joshua seems particularly passionate which is admirable given his age."
His passion may have stemmed through his Uncle Pat who works as a truck driver, though Mrs Jordan said the letter to 'Mr Foodstuffs' was written entirely without any input from relatives.