By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 13:27, Tuesday, 03 March 2009

Forget a new pair of shoes for an impulse buy... when Geoff Brown fancies a shopping spree the result is much bigger. In fact it is huge.

Geoff Brown and son John with his Kenworth truck

The Carlisle businessman has just splashed out on a giant American Kenworth 450 truck, similar to that featured in the 1978 film Convoy.

Although he has a few business ideas up his sleeve, the father-of-two admits that it was a purchase based on passion rather than sense.

Geoff, of GBL & Sons cleaning contractors, loves trucks of all shapes and sizes but his ultimate ambition has always been to own a Kenworth.

The 45-year-old, who was almost killed in a chainsaw accident two years ago, found his dream 14-litre truck on the internet and said he just couldn’t let the opportunity pass.

He had the second-hand 36ft vehicle, which has a double bed, television, microwave and fridge in the cab behind the drivers’s seat, shipped over from the USA just before Christmas.

Harker-based Geoff, who runs his own charitable trust, is now planning to use the truck to take disabled children out on day trips.

Partner Rachel couldn’t quite believe it when he told her what he’d bought but Geoff says he has learnt one major thing from life, and that is to seize every moment.

“Two years ago I nearly died. I was just two millimetres away from slicing through my main artery in my neck. It makes you realise that if you want to do something, there is no time to waste,” he said.

“Everyone has a hobby but what I enjoy most is helping people. We have sent seven families to America through the charitable trust and this is a chance to help even more.

“I believe you get out of life what you put into it.”

Geoff, who has two sons, five-year-old Adam and three-year-old John, hopes that firms will pay to advertise on boards at the back of the truck and in turn pay for a child to get a special day trip.

He also plans to use the vehicle for weddings, giving grooms a chance to arrive at the church in huge style.

To date Geoff has only taken the truck out three times – including one trip to the children’s ward at the Cumberland Infirmary, dressed as Santa, on Christmas Eve – but says its sheer size, shiny chrome front and 300 lights are guaranteed to turn heads.

“When I drove it back here from Southampton people were open-mouthed when we passed them. They were stopping and getting their mobile phones to take photos.

“There are a few of these vehicles over here but not many. I know that Chris Eubank has one,” he added.

Geoff says he is keeping how much he paid for the vehicle a secret.

First published at 11:31, Monday, 02 March 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk