Express milkman awarded first Milk Hero award

Express Dairies milkman, Tony Raspin, has been rewarded for his quick thinking, scooping the industry's first Milk Hero award.

Express Dairies milkman, Tony Raspin, has been rewarded for his quick thinking, scooping the industry's first Milk Hero award.

The Goole franchisee rescued an elderly customer from a fire in her home after the frying pan she had left under the grill caught fire setting alight the kitchen flooring too.

"Fortunately the fire wasn't too serious and I was able to put it out quickly with a damp cloth," Tony said at the time.

Dairy UK organises the awards which celebrate outstanding examples of bravery and quick-thinking amongst milkmen and women. On receiving a nomination from Goole depot, judges decided Tony was most deserving of the inaugural Milk Hero crown and he was presented with his award by Keith Johnson, regional manager for Dairy UK.

"Tony is a first-class example of the work that milkmen often go over and above their normal duties", said Keith. "He saw a problem and acted promptly. We in the dairy industry are very proud of him, and this award is a small way of showing our appreciation."

Only seven Milk Hero awards are presented each year and depot managers are being asked to nominate deserving milkman from their depots.

Mike Grey, business support manager for Express says he is delighted an Express franchisee was the first to receive the accolade.

"The milkmen themselves modestly accept this as part of the job, so any scheme that recognises their contribution and brings them the well deserved publicity is commendable. Our depot mangers will be fully supporting the scheme, and they have plenty of Express Heros to nominate."


Arla Foods UK plc is home to some of the UK’s leading dairy brands including Cravendale, Lurpak and Anchor. Processing approximately two billion litres of milk a year Arla continues to be one of the UK’s leading dairy companies and a supplier of fresh liquid milk and cream to the top seven retailers.

Over 2,500 daily deliveries are made directly to stores nationwide and Arla brands can be found across the dairy category. As well as the leader of the butter, spreads and margarine sector, and a major supplier of other added value products including flavoured milk and cheese, Arla continues to build working relationships with Arla Foods Milk Partnership, a unique group of dairy farmers, which supplies around 90 per cent of Arla's total milk requirements.

Behind this leading business is a team of circa 2,800 people across the UK located at our dairies, distribution centres and head office.

Contact Information

Flic Callaghan

07980 948159

felicity.callaghan@arlafoods.com