More than 100 truck drivers enjoyed some hot food, festive music and and good company at a gathering organised to show appreciation for their hard work throughout the festive period.
The event was part of SNAP’s Deck the Hauls campaign, which aims to shine a light on the essential work drivers do to keep supplies moving in the critical weeks before Christmas, when consumer demand peaks and delivery schedules intensify across the UK. It was held at Glews Services on November 26. SNAP is a digital solutions provider for international mobility and the service is used every 12 seconds by one of 195,000+ truck drivers using SNAP's payment system, which connects to a network of over 800 truck service partners across Europe.
Throughout the evening, drivers gathered for hot food and festive music while sharing the personal and professional pressures they face as workloads surge during December. Adam, a driver at the event, said: “It’s hard only having Christmas Day off, especially having two children. I don’t get to see them much, but the time I do get with them is precious.” Matt, another driver, highlighted the operational strain, saying: “Companies demand more deliveries at the last minute, adding to stress.” Tom, a third driver, spoke about the growing pressure on the road network, saying: “The roads get a lot busier during the festive period. I feel important in the role I play with making deliveries.”
Another driver, Les, reflected on public perception, stating: “The public doesn’t appreciate us during Christmas. Bottom of the food chain.” These experiences echo across the industry. Drivers work longer hours, cover greater distances and spend extended periods away from home to meet the seasonal uplift in demand. Public data and industry reports consistently show that the festive season places the most significant strain of the year on the UK’s distribution network. The UK records its highest grocery and retail spending in December, with supermarkets and retailers seeing their most significant turnover in the final weeks before Christmas (statistic from ONS retail trends). Online shopping volumes peak in November and December, driving substantial increases in parcel and trunking operations nationwide (statistic from ONS online retail index). Road freight underpins the UK supply chain, accounting for 81% of domestic freight tonne kilometres, meaning most festive goods and home deliveries ultimately rely on HGV movements. GB-registered HGVs transport 1.59 billion tonnes of goods and travel 19.4 billion vehicle kilometres each year, forming the backbone of the UK’s distribution system (statistic from Department for Transport). These seasonal spikes underline the essential contribution truck drivers make in keeping shelves stocked, maintaining supply chains and ensuring goods reach communities throughout the busiest period of the year. Josh Cousens, Content & Digital Marketing Manager at SNAP, said: “Christmas places enormous pressure on truck drivers. While many people are preparing for the holidays, drivers are working longer hours, navigating winter weather and facing rising demand to ensure essential goods reach communities across the UK. “This event was about giving drivers a warm meal, a thank you and a moment of recognition for the work they do throughout the festive season.”
More can be learnt about SNAP on their website at snapacc.com