A poppy-selling milkman of 50 years has spoken out after getting beaten by a thug and having his source of income, his milk van, stolen.
65-year-old John Kershaw from Greater Manchester has been passionate about his job ever since he started it when he was still a teen. In his 50-year-long career, the man has allegedly never missed a shift and was well-known in the local community.
Despite his good heart, everything changed when John got beaten up by a thug who stole his float. While he should be celebrating 50 years in the trade, the senior was forced not only to recover from getting battered with a baseball bat but also to retire.
Following the beating, the grandfather-of-four was treated for severe bruising to his body and face. Since he had his van stolen in another incident previously this year, he decided to call it the end and give up on his job.
After the tough decision, John and his wife, 64-year-old Jill, wrote touching letters and sent them to their loyal customers.
Speaking about this year’s ordeals, John 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.”
As John added, the second attack was even worse than the first one, as the assailant was beating him for several minutes before taking off.
“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,” the milkman added.
“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.”
Following the incident, Good Samaritans set up a GoFundMe page to help the hardworking man recover from his sudden loss of income.
What are your thoughts on John’s story? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to SHARE this post with your friends and family!
Recommended Video!
“Retired Carpenter Builds 58 Crosses For Las Vegas Shooting”