Life-saving postwoman nominated for award

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A grandmother-of-three who saved a sleeping woman from a potentially fatal fire has been shortlisted for a national award for her bravery.

Quick-thinking Norfolk postwoman Linda Robinson, 48, was cycling back to Attleborough delivery office to collect more mail when she heard a smoke alarm sounding at a house near the High Street and went to investigate.

The occupant of the house was asleep in bed unaware that a pan of food had burnt through and the intense heat had also caused the work surface to smoulder.

Ms Robinson, 48, who lives in Attleborough and has been a postwoman for 15 years, spotted a woman delivering leaflets and together they went in to wake the female occupant and dealt with the burning pan, turning off the heat, dousing the work surface with water and opening windows to get rid of the smoke.

After the incident, which happened in October last year, she stayed behind to comfort the woman and make her a cup of tea.

Her quick-thinking actions have earned her a nomination in the Royal Mail's First Class people awards which have been organised to highlight the good work carried out by postal workers across the country.

Ms Robinson said today: “I'm quite proud of being shortlisted, but it's just something you would do normally. I'm glad the woman was all right.

“The funny thing was though, as I'm a group scout leader in Old Buckenham, shortly before the fire I had taken all 70 cubs, beavers and scouts, aged five to 16, to a fire station to learn about fire safety.”

Attleborough delivery office manager Dave Comer, who nominated her for the award, said: “Linda averted a potentially fatal incident that day and we are all very proud of her. I'm delighted she has been shortlisted for a bravery award.”

Ms Robinson is one of 12 posties in the area to be shortlisted in the awards, which means our region has the greatest concentration of shortlisted entrants in the country.

Mark Collinson, 31, and Chris Vigneux, 47, from the Norwich Delivery Office in Roundtree Way, are shortlisted in the 'fundraising' category, after they raised £2200 for Cancer Research UK through a boxing tournament and an ultra-marathon.

Also listed in the 'fundraising' category is a team of nine from the Post Office depot in Wymondham, who conquered the Three Peaks Challenge which involves climbing the highest mountains in England (Scafell Pike), Scotland (Ben Nevis) and Wales (Snowdon).

The nine-strong Wymondham team that completed the 25-mile challenge were Colin Machell, Andrew Woolllard, Andrew White, David Crisp, Dean Whitnall, Helen Metcalfe, Ivan Colman, Nigel Boizer and Colin's son.

The team raised over £1,000 for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) which provides care and support for children and their families, and has a hospice in Quidenham.

The shortlisted candidates each receive £100 in prize money, or for fundraising teams they receive £100 each, up to a maximum of £500. All shortlisted candidates go on to the East of England regional finals when judges will choose a regional winner in each of the three categories.

Each regional winner will receive £500 and will attend a national award ceremony on March 30. A national winner will be chosen in each category and they will receive £1000 each and a glass trophy. The overall winner 'Postman of the Year' wins £3000 for a holiday.

Have you been nominated for a national award? Ring reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.