AROUND 300 trucks turned out in force on the M60 on Easter Sunday in support of a three-year-old girl who is set to have a major operation next month.
Heidi Patterson, from Walkden, who has cerebral palsy, is due to have surgery at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in May to correct her dislocated hips.
In preparation for the operation, her family are raising money to hire an oxygen chamber to help Heidi before the surgery and after the treatment to aid her recovery.
The brother of a woman who worked with Heidi at her nursery, Lee Davy, owns a haulage company and after hearing about Heidi's appeal he organised an event inviting trucks to take part in a convoy.
They assembled at Birch Services at around 1pm before completing a cycle of the M60, much to the delight of fellow road users.
The collection of colourful trucks were out on the road for around an hour.
Some of the trucks in the convoy
Heidi's dad Steve, 35, said: "It was amazing, even better than we thought it was going to be.
"I think it must have been pushing 300 trucks and vehicles that were involved.
"The event was really well organised, Lee did a great job.
"I don't know much about the trucking community but everyone really rallied around.
"Heidi really loved it. Some trucks had novelty horns and she enjoyed the beeping.
"We watched them pass on a motorway bridge near Whitefield, it was great."
Steve also lauded the generosity and kindness of those who have donated to the cause and sent messages.
He said: "More than £7,000 has been raised through the GoFundMe page now.
"One company gave us £1,000.
"People were donating money that had never heard of Heidi before.
"We’d like to personally thank Lee for all the effort he put in and also the wider community for all their generous support.
"We have also had lots of nice messages through her Facebook page, Twitter and the GoFundMe appeal.
"The police were also really good with us and said the event was well organised.
"The money that we have raised will cover the oxygen chamber hire and therapy that she needs for the rest of this year."
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