Celebrating 20 Years of Unusual Same Day Deliveries
While a lot of the jobs we do at Today Team are unglamorous, or considered run of the mill (think machine parts that need to be on-site for time critical repairs, exhibition materials required before doors open, and crucial legal documents), we occasionally get asked to do something out of the ordinary.
As we approach Today Team’s 20th birthday on May 16th, we thought it’d be good fun to look back at the more bizarre items and requirements we’ve had to take care of over the years.
Although these enquiries are often prefaced by the words “I’ve got an unusual one for you”, perhaps this list shows that in the world of same day logistics, odd requests aren’t that unusual at all!
Delivering sporting goods under pressure
Thanks to the sporting roots of Today Team’s founder Jamie Boyd, we’re not unfamiliar with the demands that come with top-level sports.
Since he called a halt to his own sporting career and started the business, we’ve had to deliver:
Football Boots for Manchester United – we took a pair of signed boots to make sure they were embroidered in time for a big European game.
Grass Clippings – we transported a few hundred kilos of dried out grass trimmings from a famous football club to Scotland on the same day.
Ireland Rugby Kits – transported the team’s kits from Manchester to Cardiff in time for their first game against Canada in the World Cup, a game they won 50-17.
Boxing Paperwork – we had 6 hours to take some paperwork 200 miles to the British Boxing Board, so a professional fight could go ahead.
Clay Court Tennis – we were asked to take an urgent consignment of clay from Paris to an Essex tennis court.
Same day superstars
There are times when a request comes in that raises eyebrows and gets people in the office guessing.
Sometimes we get to find out and share the details, while other times it remains a mystery:
Microphone for Robbie Williams – we collected a bespoke microphone, taking it from Liverpool to Leeds, for Robbie to perform with that evening.
Props for a Desperate Scousewife – Amanda Harrington’s publicist was worried a photoshoot would have to be cancelled, but we delivered the dog toys and bed in time.
To Me, To You – a consignment for the launch of the Chuckle Brothers’ book celebrating their 50 years in the entertainment business.
Charity Auction – we urgently delivered a book for comedian Jason Manford, as it had been left in the office and was being auctioned off for charity that day.
A-List Outfit – we picked up two items of clothing from Manchester and delivered them to Leeds in less than 2 hours, so they could be seen on the red carpet at the MOBO awards that evening.
If it’s urgent, we deliver
While we’re reasonably accustomed to getting requests from famous people, sometimes it’s the nature of the cargo that raises a smile.
As this list shows, it doesn’t matter what you’re sending, or how silly it sounds, we’ll get it where it needs to go:
250,000 Eggs – delivered to the wrong address on Friday night, we collected within 40 minutes and redelivered, saving breakfast for a lot of people.
A Stuffed Cat – this cat had used up all nine lives but was needed on set for a horror movie.
Giant Lips – a sofa in the shape of a giant pair of lips was delivered from Leeds to London’s Excel Centre for the grand opening of Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model.
An Unusual Belt – the belt travelled 115 miles from Birmingham to London, but it wasn’t for a real person, it was holding up the trousers of a new waxwork model at Madame Tussauds.
Duracell Bunnies – as part of promotion days throughout the UK, we had to deliver several life-sized bunny costumes.
Think your job is too strange for a same day courier?
As you can see from the examples above, you’d do well to surprise us with any request. So, if you’ve got something that needs to be somewhere urgently, get in touch, tell us your requirements, and we’ll get back to you with a quote in under 15 minutes.
No matter how unusual the task, you can trust Today Team to deliver your consignment with the same professionalism and care that’s been key to our business over the last 20 years.
