Finding Simon

Harrogate postman Peter Nicholls has been hailed as a local hero after he made sure that two postcards were delivered to a local homeless man.

Peter has been the postman on his current round for the past seven years. During that time, he has come to know Simon Boots well as he sells the Big Issue magazine in Harrogate town centre.

Peter said that Simon’s friends were travelling to Australia and New Zealand and had promised to send him postcards. So, when the two postcards, which had no fixed address, were sorted to Peter’s delivery, he made sure Simon received them.

After Peter posted a message on the Big Issue North Facebook page with photos of the cards (pictured), the Big Issue got in touch with Royal Mail to thank Peter for his touching gesture, stating that they would run the story in the next edition of their magazine.

‘It really got to me, as in, it really touched me!’ said Simon. ‘I can’t believe that people have gone out of their way to remember me on their holiday, but also that the postman delivered them to my pitch!’

Paul Wilkins, Harrogate delivery office manager, said: ‘Peter is a bastion of the local community and his recent delivery to Simon is yet another example of his continual service above and beyond the call of duty. We are delighted that he is receiving the recognition he deserves.’