Delivering thousands to St Catherine's Hospice coffers

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A GROUP of postmen have completed the equivalent of a busman's holiday in a gruelling charity challenge.

Dubbed the Plodding Posties, they are used to tramping around Caterham's streets delivering mail in all weathers.

But last week they conquered a 102-mile trek to raise funds for St Catherine's Hospice.

They tackled the Cotswold Way, from Chipping Camden in Gloucestershire to Bath in Somerset.

One of the postmen Dave Simmons, 54, whose postal round covers businesses across Caterham Valley and Caterham on the Hill, said: "My dad Fred died in the hospice three years ago aged 76.

"The care he received in the hospice was fantastic.

"He was very upset when he was told it was terminal, not least because he could never take a holiday again.

"But the hospice staff were marvellous in making his last days more like a holiday.

"They gave him a larger room, gave him treats including baking him a cake and putting champagne in his mini-fridge, and let my mum stay there with him."

Mr Simmonds said the walk, which was completed on Friday was very challenging with seemingly endless ascents and descents.

He added: "The scenery was beautiful but I never want to see another hill again." Walking with him were Paul Jackson, 41, who delivers in the Chaldon Road area; Michael Lane, 43, whose round serves the Blanchmans Road area of Warlingham; and Phil Ockham, 29, who is a driver/postman serving Caterham on the Hill.

David Warren, 41, whose postal round covers Caterham's Harestone area, was the support driver carrying vital supplies.

Mr Simmonds said on Monday: "Residents and businesses across Caterham have got right behind us and backed us all the way.

"So far we have raised about £7,000.

"This morning a little old lady came up to me in the street and asked 'aren't you one of the Plodding Posties?'

"It made me feel like a minor celebrity.

"She said she had sent a cheque and wished us well."

Visit http://www.justgiving.com/ThePloddingPosties" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to find out more and to sponsor them.

Three years ago the Plodding Posties completed a 120-mile slog along the Thames Path, from Oxford to central London, raising about £10,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.