TWO teams of posties hung up their mail bags last night and did battle in a charity football match.
It was a sponsored contest between workers at the two Royal Mail delivery rooms in Leeman Road, York.
The postmen's efforts will boost the fundraising kitty of their colleague Richard Gleadhill.
Despite suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the 41-year-old aims to cycle from London to Paris in just four days - covering 320 miles in total.
Richard, who works as a financial analyst for Royal Mail, is raising money for the Multiple Sclerosis Trust - a charity that provides information, research and support for people with MS.
He said: "I couldn't join in the football match because since I've had the condition I can't run - I don't have the function in my right leg.
"But I can get on a bike, and that's why I wanted to do this cycling challenge - to prove that MS doesn't have to stop you from doing things.
"Everybody knows the bad things about MS, but I want to show people that it's not all negative."
Richard, from Osbaldwick, in York, has suffered from symptoms such as chronic fatigue, poor balance and a burning rash since 2003.
But he is determined not to let this hold him back.
He said: "I've been training quite hard and I'm up to about 35-40 miles in a single trip now.
"It leaves me very stiff and I'm absolutely shattered when I get back, but I'm determined not to let MS beat me."
It is a disease affecting the central nervous system and is the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults, affecting 85,000 people in the UK.
Richard said: "I've worked for Royal Mail for 24 years and they have been very supportive.
"My colleagues have done this completely off their own backs for me and it's a fantastic gesture."
Last night's game was held at the Railway Institute grounds, off Holgate Road, with York Central delivery room romping to victory over York West with a 10-1 scoreline.
Richard has already raised more than £3,000 for the MS Trust, but hopes to break through the £5,000 barrier by the time he sets off for Paris in July.
To sponsor Richard, log on to www.justgiving.com/richardgleadhill
