Postman shortlisted for bravery award

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/display. ... _award.php

A POSTMAN who dragged an attacker off a 16-year-old girl has been shortlisted for a bravery award.

Alan Done had just finished his round in Farnworth when he heard someone screaming.

He saw a teenager being assaulted in Bolton Road, and ran to her aid. Mr Done grabbed the young woman who was attacking the girl and she ran off but was later caught by police who matched DNA on a cigarette butt she had left at the scene to profiles they had on record.

Mr Done, aged 36, who has been a postman in Farnworth town centre for 18 years, said: "I was just doing my job when I heard someone screaming.

"I saw two girls. One was sitting on top of the other, pulling her hair and demanding money. I couldn't just stand there and watch, I instinctively ran over and tried to help.

"The girl being attacked was terrified and had been punched in the face and was very shaken."

Mr Done gave evidence at Bolton Magistrates' Court last November which helped secure a conviction.

He is one of nine men and women from the region who have been shortlisted in the regional finals of Royal Mail's First Class People Awards in categories including bravery, community and fundraising. Each receives a £100 prize. A national winner will be announced at an award ceremony in London, with a £2,000 family holiday up for grabs.

The father-of-two added: "I had no idea I had been nominated for this award and it is an honour to be shortlisted.

"I didn't think what I was doing was brave at the time but I just had to help."

The victim's mother nominated Mr Done in the First Class People Awards. She said: "My daughter has been left terrified by the attack and has not fully got over it yet.

"We nominated Mr Done for this award to thank him for what he did."

Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson said bravery stories such as this made the Royal Mail sound like a "fourth emergency service".

"Our postmen and women are a group of very remarkable people who contribute so much, with acts of kindness, a huge amount of fundraising, and a commitment to volunteering which makes such a difference to the local communities where they live and work," he said.