Blackpool Food Bank posts its Approved Used Mercedes-Benz Vito to the relief deliveries front-line
Hard-pressed charity workers have drafted in a Mercedes-Benz van to help them meet the soaring demand from struggling families desperate for their help.
The Vito was supplied by Dealer Ciceley Commercials for an attractively low price that incorporated a contribution from the manufacturer, reflecting the vital work undertaken by Blackpool Food Bank.
Before the pandemic struck the charity was distributing approximately 280 emergency food packs each month. By August that number had risen to more than 850, and in November the total exceeded 1,000 for the first time. Blackpool Food Bank was already running two smaller vans of another brand, but asΒ Chairman Neil Reid explained: βWe needed a larger vehicle with more carrying capacity. It also had to be comfortable and car-like for our volunteers, though, as theyβre not professional drivers.β
βReliability was crucial too, of course, as were low running costs. I sought advice and recommendations from technicians at the independent garage that looks after our other vans, asking them what theyβd buy if they were spending their own money β they all said a Mercedes-Benz.β
Ciceley Commercials, which represents Mercedes-Benz Vans in Lancashire, as well as Cumbria, south west Scotland and parts of Greater Manchester, worked with Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Used Sales Manager John Ridge to come up with an Approved Used Vito 111 CDI that was registered in 2019 and had covered fewer than 5,000 miles.
Neil ReidβIt represents fantastic value for money β the price we paid incorporated a substantial discount, so, of course, weβre very grateful to Ciceley Commercials and Mercedes-Benz for their support."
A long L2 PURE model, the van isΒ powered byΒ a 1.6-litre engine that offers outstanding fuel economy of 45.6 mpg (combined cycle). Other Vito variants are available with rear-wheel drive, but theΒ 111Β CDIβs 114 hp output is transmitted via the front wheels.
Blackpool Food Bank was established in 2012. Initially a single outlet, it has grown since then to become, according to Neil Reid, βmore of a food distributor, the βwholesalerβ in the supply chainβ. The charity now supplies a network of 70 other organisations that work directly with people in need, including NHS crisis teams, Citizensβ Advice Bureaux, local authorities and other groups over an area that stretches from Fleetwood to St Annes.
AnΒ ApprovedΒ UsedΒ Mercedes-Benz is the best thing to a new van bearing the three-pointed star.Β All come with the same exacting commitment to quality and workmanship, and all undergo comprehensive pre-delivery inspections.
Β Blackpool Food Bankβs Vito is still covered by its original three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, while the charity also benefits from the manufacturerβs MobiloVan cover, which includes free, 24-hour roadside assistance in the unlikely event of a breakdown.
Β βThe van was in βmintβ condition when it arrived, as though it had never been used,β said Mr Reid.
βGiven the pressure we were under on the run-up to Christmas we sent the Vito out to work immediately. Itβs been very well received by our drivers and is proving invaluable in helping us to undertake our vital work.β
The Food Bankβs volunteers are using their Mercedes-Benz van to make collections from a variety of sources, including local business and supermarkets that provide food from their own stock as well as hosting drop boxes where shoppers can leave items they have purchased. The van also delivers food to the charityβs own hubs, and to the distribution centres of partner organisations; this year, for example, the Food Bank has opened a Covid-secure drop-off point for members of the public at Blackpool Tower. In total, it handles well over 10 tonnes of food per week.
As well as making up emergency parcels for urgent cases, the Food Bank provides a range of foods, including tinned and dried goods but also frozen items, fresh fruit and vegetables, and bread.
βSadly, demand for our service shows no sign of slowing down,β said Neil Reid. βWeβre eternally grateful for the support we receive from the many local businesses and members of the public who help us out.β
Blackpool was already close to the heart of the Mercedes-Benz Vans βfamilyβ. In the three years 2017-19 teams of cyclists representing the manufacturer, its Dealer network, suppliers, customers and supporters have raised more than Β£65,000 for deserving causes by pedalling the 62 miles from Manchester to the seaside townβs South Promenade. The annual event, which is organised by The Christie cancer charity, could not take place this year due to the pandemic.
Those wishing to find out more about the Blackpool Food Bankβs work, or about how to make a donation or get involved, can make contact via its Facebook page β facebook.com/blackpoolfoodbank β or visit theblackpooltower.com/blackpool-food-bank/
Gallery
Check Out Our Instagram
The Mercedes-Benz diesel van range is built to keep your business moving. From the compact Citan to the versatile Vito and award-winning Sprinter, weβve got the perfect van for every job.
π₯ Exclusive offers available now:
β
Citan from Β£185* per month
β
Vito from Β£395* + VAT per month
β
Sprinter from Β£609* + VAT per month
β
Up to 30 yearsβ Roadside Assistance with MobiloVan
Donβt miss out β these deals are only available while stocks last!
https://www.ciceley.com/ciceley-vans/offers/diesel-offers/
*Terms and conditions apply, please see our website for more information.
Exciting News!
Weβre thrilled to announce that weβre expanding into Scotland with a brand-new Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus dealership at Eurocentral! π
As a proud family-run business, weβve spent over 50 years supporting operators with exceptional service, strong relationships, and continued investment in the future. This new site marks an exciting new chapter for us β bringing our people-first approach and trusted Mercedes-Benz expertise to a whole new region.
The Eurocentral dealership will feature:
π§ 12 workshop bays
π Full sales, service & parts facilities for Mercedes-Benz trucks
π Service and parts facilities for Mercedes-Benz buses
π§° An Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) lane
π· Around 40 new local jobs
Construction starts soon, with a temporary workshop opening mid-2026 and the full dealership launching autumn 2026.
Read the full story on our website.
π Ciceley Commercials Joins the Actros L ProCabin Tour! π
Yesterday we joined Mercedes-Benz Trucks at Route 74 Truckstop, Glasgow, for the Actros L ProCabin Tour β giving drivers the chance to step inside the next generation of comfort and innovation.
The Actros L ProCabin is more than just a truck β itβs a workspace, a rest space, and a tech hub on wheels.
β¨ Hereβs what makes it stand out:
π₯οΈ Digital Cockpit & MirrorCam for ultimate visibility
πͺ Ergonomic Design built for all-day comfort
π Outstanding Efficiency that delivers every mile
We loved seeing everyone who stopped by to take a look inside, chat with the team, and experience the future of trucking first-hand.
Go further, cleaner, and quieter with the Mercedes-Benz electric van range. Whether itβs the eCitan, eVito, or eSprinter, enjoy zero-emission driving, impressive range, and fast charging times β all with premium Mercedes-Benz quality.
β
The eCitan from Β£249* + VAT per month
β
The eVito from Β£495* + VAT per month
β
The eSprinter from Β£595* + VAT per month
Including:
4 FREE services
Up to 30 yearsβ Roadside Assistance with MobiloVan
8-year / 100,000-mile battery warranty
Switch to electric today and keep your business moving sustainably! See our website for more details.
*Terms and conditions apply, please see our website for more information.
π From Hive to Jar! π―
Today we visited @eastlancshospice with our Beekeeper John to watch how he turns our MerceBEES hard work into delicious honey! πΌ
It was fantastic to share the experience with the hospiceβs staff and patients, showing how the honeycomb is spun, sieved, and jarred to create the finished product.
This year, weβre proud to be selling our Ciceley honey with all profits donated to our charity partner, East Lancashire Hospice β supporting the incredible work they do every day. π
Our MerceBEES have been busy since we first introduced four hives and 320,000 bees to our Blackburn and Darwen sites as part of our ongoing sustainability journey. π
π On 5th September, our all-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 completed the 2025 EV Rally, driving from West Bromwich to Tatton Park, Cheshire β‘π.
Along the way we:
β Recharged at Peak View Tea Rooms
π Stopped at Sixt Van & Truck, Eccles
βοΈ Showcased clean energy at Chamber House Solar Farm, Rochdale
π³ And crossed the finish line at Tatton Park
Covering 248km fully loaded at 40t, the eActros 600 proved its range, efficiency, and cost savings β highlighting that zero-emission trucking isnβt the future, itβs here today. Get in touch with the team to put the eActros to the test
#evrally #explorer #collaboration #solarpower
β¨ Another fantastic review for our Blackburn team! β¨
Weβre proud to provide a service that makes things simple, stress-free and reliable for our customers.
Read more of our customer reviews here: https://www.ciceley.com/testimonials/
π Autumn is here, and so are the chilly mornings!
Did you know that with the Mercedes-Benz app, you can pre-heat your electric Mercedes-Benz van before you even step outside?
β
Warm and comfortable from the moment you get in
β
Defrosted windows without scraping ice
All managed straight from your phone, giving you convenience and comfort whatever the weather.
βοΈ A smart way to start your day as we head into winter.
β½ Ciceley Takes on the Vantasy Football League! β½
Today, our Ciceley football team proudly represented us at the Mercedes-Benz Vantasy Football League at none other than St Georgeβs Park β the home of England football!
Competing alongside eight teams made up of van drivers and Mercedes-Benz Van dealers from across the country, our squad battled hard and made it all the way to the semi-finals, finishing an impressive 3rd place overall! π₯πͺ
The Vantasy Football initiative is about more than just football β itβs a fantastic campaign supporting mental health awareness for van drivers, many of whom work in isolating roles. We`re proud to support this important cause. π
A huge shout out to our amazing team:
Rob Claringbold, Gary Bridge, Jack Burgess, Matthew Coombe, Alex Lewis, Lee Holden, and Damian Holroyd β a brilliant mix from across our Sales, Service, IT, Accounts and Management teams.
Well played, team! πβ½
https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/vans/vantasy-football.html
#VantasyFootball #MercedesBenzVans #MentalHealthAwareness #TeamCiceley #StGeorgesPark #VanLife #FootballForGood
π Tomorrow weβll be at GreenFleet LIVE! 2025 in Rochdale!
Come and see us to explore the latest in electric vans and sustainable fleet solutions β and chat with our team about how we can support your journey to net zero. β‘π
Weβre looking forward to meeting fleet, transport and sustainability professionals from across the UK. See you there!
#GreenFleetLIVE #ElectricVehicles #CleanFleet #NetZero #LCV #Sustainability #CiceleyCommercials
βοΈ Our eActros 400 has been out and about in sunny Scotland yesterday, with driver training sessions led by Jordan Lowe and Richard.
Great to see more drivers getting behind the wheel and experiencing the future of fully electric transport first-hand! β‘π
#eActros #ElectricTrucks #DrivingTheFuture #CiceleyCommercials
π¬ More great feedback for our Carlisle team!
This is what we`re all about β great service and working to keep you moving.
π Book your next visit with our team by contacting them today
https://ow.ly/baCN50WXZVc
-
Call Ciceley Commercials on 0333 014 6181
-
We're here to help. You can reach us via phone, email or our online form.
-
Find your local Mercedes-Benz dealer here.
-
Find out more information about your preferred model.
