Harlaxton man with a van says he ‘just likes helping people’ after supporting over 200 Grantham families

A man with a van says he has helped over 200 vulnerable families in Grantham.

Andy Harrison, 42, started his multi-purpose business ‘Andy’s Man and Van’ in October 2020 after winning a van on a raffle.

Since then, the business has grown and he has used it as a platform to help vulnerable families in the area and support local charities.

Andy grew up in Grantham and has lived in Harlaxton for the last 15 years.

One side of Andy’s Man and Van is house clearances after the occupant has died.

“I do a lot of bereavement clearances for those that have lost family members because I can explain all the laws,” Andy explained.

“When I explain to them I can reduce the bill if I donate the furniture to people in need, a lot of people say that’s great, my parents would have liked that because that was what it was like in the olden days, people helping each other.

“It just makes you feel good when you help someone who doesn’t have anything, because you never know what’s round the corner. You’ve just got to try and help people.”

Back in March 2022, Andy was part of a group of people that collected essential supplies which were delivered to the Ukraine border in Poland.

He also helps out regularly with deliveries and collections for organisations such as the Bhive Community Hub in Finkin Street, and Farrow Friends, which supports people in their homes.

He said: “I don’t charge them because you’ve got to help charities out.

“If people haven’t got money, I don’t charge them for delivery. It’s not always about money.”

Andy is also a fully licensed waste carrier and has recently upgraded to a bigger van, allowing him to keep up with his increasing workload.

When asked if there were any highlights from the people he had helped over the last three years, Andy responded: “All of them stand out.

“I like helping families when they’ve helped someone. Everyone appreciates it. There’s a lot of trust. I always do what they want.

“I just like helping people.”

Susan Swinburn, of the Bhive Community Hub and South Lincolnshire Blind Society, praised Andy’s contributions.

She said: “Andy has supported South Lincolnshire Blind Society in establishing the Bhive Community hub and all of the groups that run from here.

“He regularly supports our fundraising initiatives and this helps us to provide support to local vulnerable people with disabilities and mental health issues too.

“He has been a real community champion pulling out all the stops to collect unwanted bikes that we have recycled and saved from landfill.

“Nothing is too much trouble from him and he literally goes the extra mile to make sure that he can help us in times of need.

“Both him and his wife Claire have been an amazing supporters and we are so pleased to see him grow his business and we have confidence in the knowledge that any waste he takes away is always professionally disposed of and he gives us the certificates to prove it.”

Before starting the business, Andy was a lorry driver for 15 years.

“I first started out by winning a little van on a raffle and it went from there,” he said.

“That only lasted me four months because it was just too small so I bought a bigger one.”

See more of Andy’s work on his Facebook page by searching for Andy’s Man and Van Grantham.