MAIL MEN: Helping deliver mail to homes in Hull. From left, Stuart, Allan, Michael and John Sugden at the Royal Mail depot in Malmo Road, Hull. Pictures: Kate Woolhouse
WORKING for Royal Mail has become something of a family affair with four brothers all helping ensure Christmas cards and parcels are delivered.
The Sugden brothers are so close they all offered to provide youngest brother John, 32, a kidney when he needed a transplant two years ago.
All four siblings work at the Hull main depot in Malmo Road, east Hull.
Stuart, 39, is a delivery officer manager for the Hessle area.
"We all previously worked together in pubs and clubs across Hull, so it is something we are used to," he said. "I got a job as a part-time postman 14 years ago and it went from there.
"We all started as postmen and worked our way up and Royal Mail is a fantastic place to work for."
Allan, 38, is the manager for the HU6 area.
"It is great to have family around at this time of year," he said. "We enjoy working together and can help each other out.
"We all started part-time and worked our way up, grasping the opportunity to become managers."
Whether in work or in their personal life, the brothers all look out for each other.
"John had kidney failure a couple of years ago and we all immediately came forward to offer one of our kidneys," Stuart said. "We are very close."
John added: "I would have liked to have taken one from one of my brothers' but another donor was found and I am fine now.
"But they all helped and supported me."
It is all go at the moment for the brothers as Royal Mail experiences its busiest time of the year.
But the stresses of the job do not affect the brothers' relationship.
"It is just as busy as ever and we are overflowing at the moment," deputy collections manager Michael, 33, said
"It can be a stressful time but it doesn't affect the relationship between us. In fact, it helps as we support each other.
"Luckily, none of us work on Christmas Day, so we can all meet up for lunch."
The only down side is the early starts.
"Getting up at 5.30am each day is the most difficult part, but it is a job we all enjoy," John said.
"But we get the satisfaction from ensuring everything is delivered to the right addresses on time."