Caring Hugh is a first class postie

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.forres-gazette.co.uk/news/fu ... ostie.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A NAIRN postie is through to the UK finals of a prestigous competition after being nominated for a national award for his work providing respite care for youngsters in need.

Hugh McBean, who is based at the Nairn Delivery Office, was named as the Scottish winner of Royal Mail's 2009 1st Class People Awards in the Community Involvement category, which has also netted him a prize of £500.

He will now be travelling to London on March 30 for the UK finals of the award scheme which celebrates postmen and women as unsung heroes in their communities.

Hugh is one of three Scottish winners, named for the community involvement category, while Iain MacDonald, Cowdenbeath Delivery Office, was nominated in the Bravery category and Jim Ralston from the Bonnyrigg Delivery Office was nominated in the fund-raising class.

Hugh and the other two now stand the chance of being named the overall UK winner in their own categories, which has a further prize of £1,000.

"I was really happy just to have been nominated for this award, but to have won the Scottish prize is fantastic," said Hugh. "It is such rewarding work and I particularly enjoy being involved with the children and seeing them progressing back into the community."

Hugh and his wife, Mandy, have provided respite care for children with special needs since 2004 and has also been providing emergency foster care for five children through Children of Families in Crisis.

The couple started looking after vulnerable children after the death, in 2002, of their nine-year-old daughter, Anastasia, who had an incurable genetic disorder.

The couple put their personal tragedy behind them to use their considerable knowledge and caring skills to benefit other children.

They are currently providing foster care to a five-year-old boy who arrived for six months respite in 2006 and is still with them, awaiting permanent adoption, but is meantime living as part of the couple's family with their own two sons. They are also providing respite care for seven other children.

Meantime, Hugh, who is also the greenkeeper at Nairn Bowling Club, still finds time to enjoy bowling and said he was chuffed by the award.

His manager, Mike Young, who nominated him for the award said he really deserved it and they were hoping he would do well in London.

"Hugh is a valued member of staff," he said. " I'm absolutely delighted that he is being rewarded for the fantastic and worthwhile work he does for the community. He really deserves it."

Ian McKay, Director of Scottish Affairs with the Royal Mail Group also sent his congratulations and said posties do good work every day.

"Hugh is a worthy winner of this award," he added. "His selflessness and commitment demonstrate exactly why our postmen and women are such highly valued members of their local communities. Our people often go the extra mile to help their communities in all sorts of ways and these awards are about recognising the postmen and women across the country who are very often unsung heroes in their local communities."

The 1st Class People Awards are aimed at recognising the acts of bravery, generosity and selflessness that the 16,800 postmen and women from The Royal Mail display every day in Scotland with categories for bravery, community and fund-raising.

Customers were invited to nominate Royal Mail people who they thought were the unsung heroes of the local community. Scottish winners from each category were selected from the shortlist, and are being invited to attend a national award ceremony on March 30.

National winners stand to receive £1,000 each and one of the category winners will be named as the overall winner of "Royal Mail's 1st Class People Awards" with a prize of £3,000 towards a holiday.

Mr McKay said they were all extremely worthy winners with qualities of commitment, selflessness, bravery and community spirit demonstrating why they are highly valued members of their local communities.

As well as his winners cheque of £500, Hugh will also be presented with a special trophy at the awards ceremony in London.

[Fishyfingers]

That's me,i don't post often but i'm a frequent visitor.The pic that went along with the story got airbrushed i had a keep the post public sticker just under the Royal mail logo.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

That's me,i don't post often but i'm a frequent visitor.The pic that went along with the story got airbrushed i had a keep the post public sticker just under the Royal mail logo.

Well done on both the award and the news story. Always wondered if we would ever have a member mentioned in a paper and now we have.

Well done on the badge even if they did airbrush it out.

Well done again.

When you zoom the picture you can see evidence of a poor attempt at airbrushing, no creases.

airbrushed.jpg

[POSTMAN]

Hey,1st of all congrats
2nd air brushed pic

[Fishyfingers]

I got a mention a few weeks back as i was nominated for the Royal Mail category in the Children Champion award i ended up winning and collected the award at number 10 last week.

Here's a pic of me with Roxanne Pallet and Louisa Lytton at the awards night.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I think I am in love - not you those on either side of you.

[DGP1]

I think I am in love - not you those on either side of you.

Oh.................................... I don't know, I've always liked someone in a skirt