Creamline Dairies’ chair and philanthropist Tony Swallow has been appointed OBE in the New Year Honours list in recognition of his services to young people and the community in Cheshire and abroad.
Tony, 81 and from Prestbury, Macclesfield set up the Swallow Trust in 2006 with his wife Helga, with the aim of helping young people in East Cheshire and Macclesfield with education and employment opportunities, and to support their mental health. The trust supports charities in the local area and overseas, including the Cre8 Macclesfield Youth and Community Programme, which Tony also co-founded.
For over 10 years, Cre8 has provided services for young people in Macclesfield, growing to become a significant part of the neighbourhood that supports and enables young people and their families to play a full and active role in their community. Working with Cre8, Creamline is providing opportunities for NEET (not in education, employment or training) young adults who are employed to jet-wash its fleet of delivery vehicles.
Reflecting on the news of his appointment, Tony said:
“I’m both delighted and shocked to have been appointed OBE. My wife and I wanted to give something back to the local community we’ve called home for 50 years so 16 years ago we set up the Swallow Trust to help improve the lives of young people through education and work opportunities.
“It’s been a privilege to have the opportunity to give back to the community in this way and I’m immensely proud of the incredible things the charities we’ve worked with over the years have achieved and the real difference they have made to young people’s lives.”
Tony spent his working life in the dairy business and is now chair of Creamline Dairies, a 76-year-old family-owned business bought by the Swallows from its founder Peter Roe in 1994. His philanthropic values remain at the heart of the business today as his son Chris, Creamline’s joint managing director, explains:
“All of us at Creamline are extremely proud of Dad’s generosity, passion and dedication being recognised with his OBE appointment. For over 75 years, Creamline has been an integral part of the local communities we serve and as a family-run business Dad’s philanthropic spirit still runs through everything we do here – whether it’s our customer lottery raising money for local charities and good causes or our Deserving Doorsteps initiative giving the worthiest in our communities a helping hand.”
