Congratulations to Checkatrade member Russell Eatly for winning ‘Poetry in Motion’

Thanks to Mercedes-Benz, Checkatrade member Russell Eatly has won a very exciting prize – just in time for Christmas!

Pristine Carpets are carpet, hard floor and upholstery cleaning specialists based in Brickhill, Bedford. And they’ve now been able to collect a brand-new Mercedes-Benz Vito van! And it’s all thanks to a nationwide poetry competition run earlier this year.

Having worked with Mercedes-Benz for several years, we’re always on the lookout for more ways we can help local trades boost their business.

Competitions like this are just one of those ways that companies are looking to give back to hardworking tradespeople.

What was the competition?

The ‘Poetry in Motion’ campaign aimed to offer business owners and van drivers the opportunity to express their ‘verse-atility’. They needed to create a poem to be in with the chance of winning a van. It also aimed to go against common myths associated with the UK van-driving community at the same time.

We supported the Mercedes-Benz campaign, by sharing news of it with our trade members. It is how Russell first became aware of the opportunity.

Russell collected his van from a local Mercedes-Benz Vans Dealer in Milton Keynes, just in time for the festive period. The dealer will also be giving complementary servicing for the next two years to keep Russell and his business on the road.

About his win, Russell said:

“We’re thrilled to have collected our new Mercedes-Benz Vito van to help keep my business moving, and I am so thankful that Checkatrade made its members aware of this competition. A high-quality van is vital for my day-to-day work – an easier ride to jobs, more clients, and a smoother journey to success. Checkatrade and Mercedes-Benz have helped to fuel my business and finish the year on such a high.”

What was the winning poem?

Russell’s winning poem, ‘Work Wife’: 

‘’The shrill of the alarm, awakens me from my slumber, As I draw back the curtains, I see her and wonder, What lays ahead? Today’s journey yet untold, What experiences collectively are soon to unfold?

We’ve been through so much and still we are together, I doubt there is much that the two of us couldn’t weather. Busy days, quiet days, happy and dark, The difference without her would be too stark.

She’s not much to look at, well not anymore, Her wing mirror constantly falls off the door, Over the years she’s had a few bits done, A touch up here and a new black bum[per].  

Sixteen years old and thousands of miles on the clock, It’s fair to say, she’s been round the block. No mod cons, she’s ready and rough, Cosmetics aside, underneath she’s tough.  

I stock her up ready for a day of work, A more spacious van would be a perk. I bid her good morning as I turn the ignition, Our mutual labours are coming to fruition. Occasionally, it takes her a while to get going, (I have to give her extra time when it’s snowing). But saying that, she’s yet to let me down, No clients are left waiting when she takes me to town.  

It’s hard to express what she means to me: Independence, freedom and financial security. I’ve shirked off the shackles of the 9 till 5, I buckle my belt, and away we drive. 

In companionable silence we travel together, Unless the radio plays an old school belter. Then we roll down the windows and hit the gas, Just me, on the road, with my old van Flash.’’