MALLUSK MAIL CENTRE DELIVERS A PAIR OF AWARD WINNERS

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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TWO postal workers based at the Royal Mail Centre in Mallusk have picked up prizes at the Northern Ireland regional finals of the 1st Class People Awards.

Kevin Maxwell and Alex Shortt will now go forward to the national finals, with the chance to win the title Royal Mail Postman of the Year and £1,000.

Kevin was selected as winner of the Charity Fundraising category for his tireless voluntary work with the Ireland Special Olympics Team.

Together with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Mail Centre, he raised thousands of pounds through various events, including bag packing at local supermarkets, family fun days at the Mail Centre and Dragon Boat races.

Kevin was also involved in organising the Olympic team which competed in China last year and has already started planning more fundraising events for the next games.

In his spare time, he helps out with fundraising at North Belfast Special Needs and Disability Club.

“I was really thrilled to have been nominated for the award but to win is fantastic,” said Kevin. “I am delighted with the support I get from colleagues who have helped make this possible and if it raises the profile and brings in extra funding for the team, I am happy to oblige”.

His Mallusk colleague, Alex Shortt, was equally successful in the Bravery category. Alex put his life on the line to save an elderly motorist trapped and injured in an overturned vehicle as he drove to work early one winter morning.

Weather conditions were treacherous on the dark country road when he came upon the accident. He immediately took charge, giving assistance to the injured person and helping to prevent further accidents at the scene, as he waited for the emergency services to arrive.

Alex said: “I am thrilled and delighted to receive this recognition from Royal Mail. I couldn’t believe it when I was short-listed and to win the Northern Ireland award is fantastic.

“I just did what anyone else would have done in the spur of the moment and was only to happy to come to the aid of this elderly person”.

Gary Crawford, area general manager for Royal Mail in Northern Ireland, said the Mallusk pair were “worthy winners of this award.” He added: “Their dedication and commitment demonstrate exactly why our postmen and women are such highly valued members of their local communities.”

At the London national award ceremony on March 30, Kevin and Alex will each receive a cheque for £500 and a certificate.

[DGP1]

TBH if I was put forward for one of these I'd have to just refuse it because I'm not there to help RM in any publicity events (as I've been repeatedly told I'm only there to deliver mail).