Plodding Posties from Caterham prepare for energetic challen

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Plodding Posties from Caterham prepare for energetic challenge

http://www.surreymirror.co.uk/Plodding- ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TRUDGING around East Surrey's streets at dawn with a heavily laden mailbag would be challenging enough for most people.

But a group of Caterham-based postmen are preparing to go that bit further.

And they are being spurred on by personal tragedies which have befallen them.

Over five days in September the "Plodding Posties", as they have dubbed themselves, will tackle a 110-mile slog along the Cleveland Way and Yorkshire Wolds Way.

The two beneficiaries of the keen quintet's fundraising efforts will be the national suicide prevention and bereavement charity Console, and the Alzheimer's Society.

Paul Jackson will walk in memory of his younger brother Robin, who committed suicide in September 2013.

And David Simmonds is taking part as a tribute to his mother-in-law Jean, who suffered from Alzheimer's Disease in her latter years.

The other team members are Michael Lane, David Warren and Philip Ockham.

The intrepid group have previously raised about £20,000 for worthy causes from sponsored walks.

Three years ago they completed a 102-mile trek along the Cotswold Way on behalf of Crawley's St Catherine's Hospice.

And in 2009 they did a 120-mile, five-day walk along the Thames Path in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Mr Simmonds, whose round mainly covers Caterham Valley, said: "We started fundraising after the relatives of some colleagues had serious illnesses.

"We decided it was about time we pulled our fingers out and did something worthwhile."

The team are getting their practice on East Surrey's streets.

Mr Jackson delivers in the Chaldon Road area; Mr Lane serves the Blanchmans Road area of Warlingham; and Mr Ockham was formerly a driver and postman serving Caterham on the Hill and is now a postal manager in Croydon.

Mr Warren,whose round covers Caterham's Harestone area, is the support driver carrying vital supplies.

He joked how they had become stars in the area since embarking on their energetic quests.

Mr Warren said: "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."

Currently the team have been pledged £2,405 towards their latest £5,000 target.

Donations can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/ThePloddingPosties" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;