GENEROUS Army volunteers made a special delivery by transporting a century-old postbox bought at a charity auction to its new owner.
The Edward VII postbox, used in Exeter from 1901 to 1910, was bought by businessman Derek Asplin for £1,300, two weeks ago at a Help For Heroes fundraiser.
Royal Mail donated the de-comissioned postbox as a symbol of their free forces postal service for soldiers deployed abroad.
Mr Asplin, founder of building company Princebuild, based at Newark, said: “I just went along to show support and came back with a postbox. When I saw it, I thought I may as well as put a bid in. My wife Delia agreed it was a quirky thing to have but, more importantly, the money was going towards a really great cause.
“To be honest, I didn’t think £1,300 would be enough to win, but I was delighted when it did. The only problem was how we would get it back to our house, as it weighs a ton and a half.”
Luckily for the Asplins, members of Peterborough’s 158 Royal Anglians Transport (Volunteer) Regiment were happy to help and used a special vehicle to transport the 7ft postbox to the front garden of their house on Elm Road, Folksworth, near Stilton, on Tuesday.
Mr Asplin added: “It made for interesting conversation with my friends when they asked me how the evening went – I don’t think anybody expected us to leave with something like that.”
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “It is a glorious postbox and we are glad it raised a lot of money. Obviously the Asplins will not be able to send letters from it, but I’m sure it will make for a lovely talking point.”
The auction took place at Peterborough Greyhound Stadium on April 30. With entry fees, donations collected on the night by Air Training Corps cadets and a raffle – with prizes including the use of a Jaguar XF for the weekend – it raised £8,500 for Help for Heroes, which supports servicemen and women wounded in Britain’s current conflicts.
The auction was the brainchild of the 158 Transport Regiment but it was implemented by fundraisers Maggie Perkins and Jane Burley.
Mrs Perkins said: “We must acknowledge the amazing support from the men and young cadets from 51 Orton Squadron Air Training Corps and Royal Anglians Transport Regiment. They are a credit to our city. Also we would like to thank the people of Peterborough.
“They really rose to the challenge and, with the huge generosity of Richard and Robert Perkins, owners of the Peterborough Greyhound Stadium, helped us raise a great amount .”