Vote 100

Her humility, selfless nature and incredible work ethic both in the office and in the community, are just some of the reasons why portfolio supply and demand manager Susan McCallum, from South Midlands mail centre, has been nominated for our Vote 100 campaign.

Christina Doherty, senior portfolio planning manager, from the Planning & Programmes Leadership team, said: ‘I’ve worked with Susan for more than three years and have come to realise that not only is she an inspirational woman, she is also one of the most respected colleagues I know for her work ethic and willingness to help anyone where possible.

‘Susan’s dedication to fundraising for our in-house charity the Rowland Hill Fund, has raised more than £11,000 for four dedicated Roland Hill appeals. She also supports Great Ormond Street Hospital by collecting and donating toys at Christmas, and she champions fundraising for Team UnLimbited - a charity which makes prosthetic hands for children.

‘Susan not only does everything she can to inspire and help others to be their very best at work, she is also a dedicated community worker, giving up her weekends to help church charities caring for the homeless in the Midlands area. While everyone else is enjoying their Saturday evenings with family and friends Susan is out serving soup and offering helpful advice to the homeless.

‘She also spends three days at Christmas providing food, clothing, hygiene care and a kind word to those without homes. She and her husband offered their home for several years to one homeless young man with severe mental health issues. This selfless act presented them with some very challenging situations, but despite this, they kept the young man safe as part of a caring family. He is now in a rehabilitation programme and they still keep in regular contact.

‘Susan is never one to look away when there’s an opportunity to help someone either at work or in the community - she would work 24-hour days if she could! Even on her commute into London she buys food and water for a homeless man who sits at St Pancras station. She also gave him warm clothing, a good coat and gloves during the cold weather that we had at the beginning of the year.

‘In short, Susan is the most humble person I have ever had the privilege to meet and she is respected by all her colleagues for the wonderful, caring and hard-working person she is.’

Susan has worked for Royal Mail since May 1990. She was one of our 2018 Chairman’s Awards for Excellence finalists, having been nominated as a Community Champion.

‘I am truly humbled that a colleague took the time out of their busy schedule to nominate me,’ said Susan. ‘Believe me when I say that I am far from inspirational, and without the support of colleagues from Planning & Programmes, and South Midlands and Gatwick mail centre, whose outstanding generosity demonstrated a commitment to the Rowland Hill Fund, we would not have raised the funds so desperately needed by the four families concerned.

‘I consider myself privileged to have worked for Royal Mail since 1990 and have enjoyed all my roles, particularly when I have been able to support colleagues through difficult times and help to bring about a fostering workplace environment.

‘One of the joys of my current role is being responsible for the project management graduates and trainees. The schemes give them the opportunity to continue their studies with the support of trained coaches. Working in a team gives them a great insight into how the business works, while earning a salary and gaining practical work experience at the same time.’

Vote 100

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Our Vote 100 campaign is your chance to help us showcase the enormous contribution Royal Mail women make each and every day both to colleagues and customers, ensuring we remain the UK’s most trusted postal operator.

If there is someone in your workplace who you admire for their outstanding work ethic, their drive to improve their own and others’ skills, their knack for supporting or mentoring others, showing kindness, overcoming obstacles, or influencing positive behaviour – we want to hear from you!

Please send your name and contact details plus the name of the colleague you wish to nominate to vote100@royalmail.com. We will then be in touch to obtain further details.