Kind-hearted Huddersfield milkman's act of kindness wrecked by 'chancers'

A friendly milkman from Huddersfield trying to help the community says 'chancers' are spoiling his acts of kindness.

Nigel Harnell, 46, also known as The Modern Milkman, spends the hours most of us are sound asleep delivering produce such as milk, eggs, cream, bread and juice to the local community. And when he has food leftover, he makes sure anyone struggling financially gets first dibs by handing them out on local community Facebook pages after a busy shift.

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Nigel has always helped out the elderly and those he knows are in need but the cost of living crisis means even more people are struggling. And as someone who has been there himself, he wants to help out in anyway he can.

Unfortunately, Nigel's generosity has been abused when "chancers" have taken far more than they needed. Nigel said once, two women took 40 bottles of chocolate milk, which he believes were later sold on.

However, Nigel refuses to let the negatives outweigh the positives and continues to spread kindness and joy while the rest of us are sleeping. Nigel said: "I was a courier for most of my life delivering parcels, I made the change to being a milk man because I wanted more flexibility and better hours so I could see more of my three children and just a better way of life.

"It's the best job I've ever had in my life, I absolutley love it. We do a lot more than just milk now, we also do bread, cheese, all sorts, we're like Tesco on wheels.

"Like Tesco, we get reduced products and end of the line stuff and sometimes the reduced stuff doesn't always sell such as sourdough, not everyone likes it. Sometimes the juices don't sell. The company I work under promotes wellbeing and reducing waste so I started putting bits out at the end of a shift and putting a notice on the local groups for people to help themselves.

"Times are tough at the minute and I'd much sooner see it go to some use than get wasted. I just wanted to help out where I can, I've been there myself. I'm a single dad, I've struggled myself in the past.

"I've got three girls, it was tough when when I first split from my ex partner. I got to the point where I was eating pasta and gravy to make sure my kids had what they needed. I'm not ashamed to admit I've been at the point where I've nearly had to go to a food bank but pride got in the way.

"And with the the cost of living at the moment, and the rising cost of bills and food, people you wouldn't expect are feeling the pinch but some people are too proud to admit they're struggling."

Nigel will pull up after his shift between 5am and 6am. He then leaves the leftovers on the van and tell people whoever needs what is left can take it.

He says he has seen people pull up in nice cars and dressed well, adding: "They're still taking stuff so you just never know peoples' circumstances."

But he said some people "take the mick" and advantage of his kind nature. He added: "Two woman took about 40 bottles of chocolate milk off the wagon, and then were seen trying to sell it on. I know there are bad and good people in the world but it's just a sad state of affairs when you can't even do something nice for the local community.

"I know a lot of people are struggling but there is enough to go round for everyone. Some people told me to get a camera put up where I live but it's just a shame, I shouldn't have to, I'm trying to do something nice and offer help to those that need it.

"I can't really police it, obviously I'm asleep at that time after my shift it's just a shame that I should have to put any measures in place. I've thought about doing an honesty box but I suppose those who are taking 40 bottles of milk would just probably take that as well, there's obviously no morals there.

"It's disgusting some people really need it, if I was struggling I might take a loaf but I'd never dream of taking anything more than I needed, when I'm buying something for myself I always think do I need it or do I want it and I think everyone should think like that - the world would be a nicer place!"

Asked if the greed of those who have abused his generosity puts him off, Nigel said: "No, it doesn't put me off, one or two people can't spoil it for everyone else, why should two bad apples spoil it for everyone else?

"I give a lot to Parkwood Community Group now too so at least I know where that is going and that it's being used by those that need it.

"I know theres bad and good people in the world but thankfully, most of the time the good outshines the bad."

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