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A GRIEVING daughter has "lost all faith" in the postal service after a first-class parcel was delayed by nine days – only to arrive the day after her mother died.
Pancreatic cancer sufferer Rita Newland, of Wheelers Lane, Brockham, was sent a parcel containing a cake by a family friend on October 4.
The parcel intended for Rita Newland arrived the day after she died
The parcel was sent first class from a Royal Mail post office in Cornwall and the sender was told it would arrive the next day.
But the package, containing a home-made cake intended to cheer Mrs Newland up, arrived more than a week later and the family was informed staff shortages caused the delay.
Mrs Newland's daughter, Andrea Brown, also from Brockham, who received the parcel on her mother's behalf, said: "We are all very upset that this was allowed to happen.
"Our friend paid for first-class delivery but I don't think the option of first or second class really makes a difference now."
Mrs Newland lost her battle with cancer on October 11 and the parcel arrived at 4.30pm on October 12.
Mrs Brown added: "I was visiting my mum's flat when the parcel finally arrived.
"I told the postman that it was too late, that my mother had already died, and he said delivery was delayed because of staff shortages.
"I don't understand how it could take nine days for a parcel to travel a relatively short distance and I have lost complete trust in the Royal Mail.
"If it is such an ordeal to deliver one parcel it makes you wonder how they are going to cope with the Christmas load."
She added: "It is just devastating because my mum wasn't able to eat much shortly before she died, so it was such a lovely thought from our friend to bake and send a slice of her favourite coffee cake for some comfort and to help cheer her up a little bit, but the sentiment has been lost entirely.
"Royal Mail do not know what each item means to the sender or the recipient, so it is important that they stick to their promises. This has been another cause of heartache to an already difficult time."
Royal Mail was contacted but no comment had been received as the Advertiser went to press.
but everyone else could wash it down with some good wholesome ale at my wake. 
