Young Lorry Fan Enjoys Birthday Surprise At Island Roads

A six-year-old from Sandown enjoyed a birthday to remember after being treated to a special tour of Island Roads’ vehicle fleet.

Lorry enthusiast Ayrton O’Connell, a pupil at Gatten and Lake Primary School, was invited to the company’s Stag Lane headquarters alongside his parents, Julia and Simon, his girlfriend Poppy Gray and her mum Jade.

The surprise visit was organised by Island Roads Operations Manager Matt Shaw after Jade contacted the company.

Ayrton was given a behind-the-scenes look at several vehicles, including fleet vans, a rubbish-collecting lorry and a gully emptier, with staff answering his many questions.

He also enjoyed a ride in the gritter serving his hometown of Sandown before being presented with a miniature Island Roads lorry, complete with company branding and a personalised AYRTON number plate.

His mum Julia said:

“Ayrton is absolutely fascinated with lorries, he’s got ones from loads of national companies as well as Island firms like Gibbs Timber Frame and WightFibre.

“But recently he’s become really interested in Island Roads vehicles.

"He spots an Island Roads vehicle a mile off and wants to know what activity they are doing.

“He loved his visit and ride on a gritter and I know he won’t stop playing with the lorry.

"Thanks to everyone at Island Roads for such a lovely surprise.”

Jez Mew, Island Roads Environmental Service Manager, added:

“It was an absolute pleasure to host Ayrton and Jade and their families. Ayrton was so interested in the fleet, and we hope he enjoyed his visit as much as we enjoyed having him with us.”

Island Roads also thanked Dodnor-based Indigo Signs & Print, which produced the miniature branding for Ayrton’s new toy lorry.