Charity ride hopes to raise thousands of pounds in memory of Oxford postman

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news ... d_postman/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

GETTING out from behind the wheel and off the pavements this weekend will be the city's bus drivers and postmen who are joining forces in honour of a former colleague who passed away suddenly in March.

Paul Warmington suffered a cardiac arrest during his post round in Botley, leaving behind memories for the locals he served of a happy, jokey and friendly 51-year-old.

His former colleagues, along with family and friends, will on Sunday take part an 18 mile charity bike ride through the city.


Mr Warmington's daughter Zoe, 23, who is one of three, said: "My dad passed away very suddenly. He was a postman and working at the time delivering in Botley before he was rushed to the cardiac department at the John Radcliffe.

"We were very overwhelmed by all the support we had.

"Hundreds of people turned up to his funeral and all the postmen lined up like a guard of honour for him and all turned up in their vans and uniform.

"It makes us so proud to know he clearly made an impact on a lot of people and was loved and well-known by so many."

The charity ride is the brainchild of close friend and former Oxford resident Neil Samworth, now living in Kent Kent, who worked with Mr Warmington at Oxford Bus Company.

Before becoming a postman the father-of-three worked as a bus driver for more than a decade and where he made close group of friends, including Mr Samworth.

Mr Warmington would drive passengers around routes in Blackbird Leys, Kidlington, Barton and many other stops in the city.

The former colleague said the ride was to pay tribute to his close pal after being unable to make it to his funeral.

Mr Samworth said: "I have known Paul since our early 20s and there was a big group of us bus drivers at Oxford Bus Company who had a really fantastic relationship.

"Even once he went on to become a postman and I moved away we kept in contact. I found out Paul had a major heart attack through friends but unfortunately couldn't make it to his funeral.


"So I wanted to do something for him and also the John Radcliffe Hospital."

With the help of a team of friends Mr Samworth has set up the bike ride which now has about 20 people taking part for the 18-mile challenge.

It will start at Carfax Tower and head to Paul's family home in Cowley before moving on to the John Radcliffe.

Keen cyclist and driving examiner at Oxford Bus Company Gwyn Smith said: “Paul was a well-loved character at Oxford Bus Company and the ride has brought about a lot of interest.

"The cardiac unit at the John Radcliffe does amazing work and we hope that through doing this ride we can raise awareness of heart-related illnesses."

The fundraising team has pulled together more than £1,500 of their £3,000 target through its JustGiving webpage.

Miss Warmington added:"Paul's brother will be taking part, another will be photographing and my grandad will be helping with refreshment so lots of the family are getting involved."

For more information or to donate see crowdfunding.justgiving.com/rideforpaul2016