A CONVOY of 200 repair vehicles will make its way down the M5 in memory of a "hero" who "left anyone who brushed past him a better person".

Throughout his long career in the recovery vehicle industry, David Pickering helped thousands of drivers get back on the road before his death last month from Covid-19.

David Pickering with his daughter Hayley Waldron and Gabby. David Pickering with his daughter Hayley Waldron and Gabby. (Image: Jo Pickering) Now, the former owner of Elite Recovery Midlands will be remembered in a touching tribute with recovery vehicles from across the region coming together in his memory. 

"He helped thousands and thousands and thousands of people - I cannot even put a number on it," said Jo Pickering, David's wife. 

"He just loved helping people and getting people back on their way."

MISSED: David Pickering has been described as an amazing father.MISSED: David Pickering has been described as an amazing father. (Image: Jo Pickering) The convoy will leave Strensham Services, northbound, on the M5 on Sunday (July 28) at 12pm to mark the time David died.

It will then slowly make its way into Droitwich, with rolling roadblocks and slip road closures by National Highways, to make sure it is safe.

The crowd will then stop at the Berry Hill Industrial Estate.

LOVELY: David Pickering with his wife Jo. LOVELY: David Pickering with his wife Jo. (Image: Jo Pickering) "You do not realise how much someone is respected and liked in the industry.

"Dave would be absolutely honoured that people are doing this in his honour and to pay tribute to him.

"It will be emotional and very special."

The father of two, who never liked to reveal his real age, set up his business Elite Recovery Midlands in 2011 with his wife after years in the industry.

HARD WORKER: David had owned HARD WORKER: David had owned Elite Recovery Midlands (Image: Jo Pickering)It was then sold to one of his colleagues, Nathan Green, last year but Mr Pickering and the family still worked at the business.

Mr Green said: "Nobody else was a better teacher and dedicated to a business.

"I started in 2015 and we worked side by side every day - it is hard to put into words what he was like.

"He was friends with everyone he met.

"Everyone who brushed past him was left a better person."

Throughout the years, Mr Pickering has raised thousands for charity, and to honour this, his family has set up a fundraiser for St Richards Hospice. 

Mr Pickering is survived by his wife, Jo, and two children, Hayley Waldron and Gabby Pickering.

His funeral service will take place at Nicholas Church on Thursday, August 1 at 1pm.