Postman in running for Royal Mail community honour

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Articl ... 4?UserKey=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ivan nominated for First Class People Awards

By Alistair Beaton

Published: 23/02/2009

A NORTH-EAST postman who has won his home town’s stamp of approval by being made citizen of the year is now in the running for a prestigious Royal Mail community honour.

Huntly-based Ivan Anderson, 45, switched on the town’s festive lights after receiving the annual civic honour, and now his bosses have highlighted Mr Anderson in the community involvement category shortlist of their First Class People Awards.

His selection is in recognition of the contribution he has made to his community, both through his work and his spare-time activities with Huntly Amateur Swimming Club. He founded the award-winning club 12 years ago and from an initial handful of young swimmers, there are now more than 100 members, aged from seven to 20.

Mr Anderson said: “It simply snowballed. It all started when I went to Huntly Swimming Pool after football to keep fit and found a group of youngsters trailing after me.

“They were keen to learn swimming and the next thing I knew I had become a coach.

“A lot of parents have become involved and now it’s a real team effort. Some of the lads that helped start the club are now seniors and taking on a lot of the work, and we now have a group of the best eight to 11-year-olds ever,” said Mr Anderson, of Rowan Avenue.

The Huntly youngsters have swum to success in competitions from Inverness to Aberdeen and Glasgow to Shetland. “I just don’t understand some young people who say there is nothing to do in Huntly. There are so many facilities nowadays,” added Mr Anderson.

A former pupil of the Gordon Schools at Huntly, he started as a part-time postman soon after leaving school. Within a year he was full-time at Huntly delivery office and now carries out an extensive rural round in the Rothiemay area.

The winners in the Royal Mail Annual Awards sections will be announced at the end of next month. Royal Mail group director of Scottish affairs Ian McKay said: “I really congratulate Ivan in being shortlisted for the award. His actions demonstrate why our postmen and women are such highly-valued members of their local communities.”

Customers nominated Royal Mail staff they described as the unsung heroes of their local communities. The Scottish winners in categories for bravery, community and fundraising will each receive £500 and a trophy and go to the national final.