Graham's our first class postie

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LOCAL "Postie" Graham Watson is one of three in Scotland who have been declared "First Class" after winning the Scottish section of the Royal Mail's First Class People Awards 2010.

Graham scooped the award in the Fundraising section to recognise his brilliant efforts in raising £10,000 for various charities, including Breast Cancer Care, over the last four years.

Graham, who is based in Inverurie, has raised money for various charities. In 2006, the postie volunteered to travel to Ukraine with an aid vehicle.

This involved him having to fill a 7.5 tonne truck, with important items. Graham managed to raise over £3,500 to buy goods for his trip.

He has also raised money for many other local causes including, equipment for a local child in a wheelchair and a Dart's tournament, opened by the First Minister, in aid of Breast Cancer Care. Graham also raises cash for his local cricket club, where he is a coach.

Graham has won a £500 prize for coming first in his category in Scotland, and now has the chance to win the overall UK Fundraising title, which will be announced on Monday, May 24.

Graham said, "I was really happy just to have been nominated, but to have won the Scottish prize is fantastic. I hope this will help to raise awareness of the Breast Cancer Care and various other charities, along with the people who help to do this fantastic work, which makes such a big difference to people's lives."

Graham's manager, Tom Mackay, who nominated him for this award said, "I am absolutely delighted that Graham has been recognised by Royal Mail for his fundraising efforts. He thoroughly deserves it. "
Graham is joined by Dundee postman Darren Lee who won the Bravery award for helping a disorientated elderly customer, and averting a potentially deadly gas explosion, and also Alexandria postwoman Jane Findlay for Community Involvement.

Each of the winners will receive £500 prize money and also travel to London for the UK finals of the prestigious awards for the chance to win the overall UK awards in their categories.

Ian McKay, Director of Scottish Affairs, Royal Mail Group, said, "All three of these people are brilliant winners of their awards. Their selflessness, bravery and community spirit demonstrates exactly why our postmen and women are such highly valued members of their local communities. "Our people often go the extra mile to help their communities in many different ways.

"These awards are about recognising the postmen and women across the country who are very often unsung heroes."
The 1st Class People Awards are aimed at recognising the acts of bravery, generosity and selflessness Royal Mail's postmen and postwomen display every day in Scotland. There are categories for Bravery, Community and Fundraising.

Customers were invited to nominate Royal Mail people who they thought were the unsung heroes of the local community.
The three Scottish winners will each receive a cheque for £500 and a trophy at the award presentation in London, where the UK national winners in the three categories will be announced. National winners receive £1000. At the ceremony one of the category winners will be named as the overall winner of 'Royal Mail's 1st Class People Awards, who will win £3000 for a holiday.