1st class carer Compassion of tragic postie

[TrueBlueTerrier]

08/02/2009

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SELFLESS postman Hugh McBean knows all about handling with care.

For the first-class mailman provides invaluable respite care for families of vulnerable youngsters.

Hugh, along with wife Mandy, draws on the strength and experience gained caring for their own terminally-ill daughter Anastasia.
Angelic

The angelic youngster was just six when she was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick type C — a rare and incurable genetic disorder which affects the metabolism.

Tragically, as the disease progressed, little Anastasia was unable to walk, talk or eat.

She died aged nine on Christmas Day 2002, leaving the McBean family devastated.
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But instead of being destroyed by grief, brave Hugh and Mandy decided to use the knowledge they gained caring for Anastasia to help others in similar situations. So this week Hugh has been nominated for the Children’s Champions Award for his efforts in helping vulnerable children and their families.

Our awards, supported by the Post Office and their charity partners Barnardo’s celebrate those who work above and beyond the call of duty for children.

While looking after their daughter, respite care was invaluable to Hugh and Mandy, who also have two boys — now aged 11 and 17.

It gave them a much-deserved break and allowed them to spend some time with the other children.

So in 2004, Hugh, 40, and Mandy, 37, from Nairn, near Inverness, began to provide respite care for children with special needs. They have since gone on to give emergency fostering for children of families in crisis, as well as looking after a five-year-old boy with developmental problems for the last two and a half years.

Hugh said: “It’s so important to give parents a break, or to spend time with the other siblings. It gave us a chance to do something with the boys, who missed out on a lot because of Anastasia’s illness.”
Brilliant

Now the couple provide respite care one evening every two weeks for three different kids, as well as one weekend in eight for each child. All of the youngsters have special needs.

Hugh, also gets a stamp of approval from his Royal Mail boss Mike Young, 50.

He said: “He is a very down to earth bloke, and what he does with these young kids is brilliant.”

[the one]

FANTASTIC, WELL DESERVED CHOICE,