‘Trusted friend’
Postman, Christopher Vallimae, from Weston Super Mare Delivery Office, has been recognised in the Queen’s 2019 Birthday Honours List.
He has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the community in North Somerset. A BEM is awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown.
Christopher has served as a part-time postman for more than 20 years. His round covers more than 540 homes and he routinely checks on the well-being of customers he knows have medical conditions as well as those who are elderly and live alone and value the warm hello they receive from him.
In his own time, Christopher has become a ‘trusted friend’ to many of his elderly, sometimes vulnerable customers, who he helps to understand their utility bills and find reliable and trusted painters, gardeners, plumbers and electricians.
Christopher, who sees all of this as par for the course, told the Weston, Worle and Somerset Mercury: ‘I was delighted and so was my wife when we found out. Ironically, we received a letter informing us, and to have a lot of people write in and put me up for it, is quite special.
‘At Royal Mail, you are encouraged to look in on the older folk, they ask questions and need help, so I see it as my duty to be nice and go around helping them where I can. I have got to know the majority of people well over the years.
‘I have been all over the world and I have lived such a varied life, so it will be fantastic to receive this honour.’
For the younger members of the community, Christopher represents the postal service at play schools to explain how the system works, engaging the children with interactive activities.
During his 22-year army service earlier in life, he earned the appointment as third battalion photographer and captured significant events in history during his tours of duty in Northern Ireland and Berlin.
Christopher also taught evening classes in photography and digital image editing for eight years, as part of Weston College's further education, encouraging his elderly customers to get involved and identify with the digital world. His students ranged in age from 19-90. He also served for four years as a governor of Castle Batch Community Primary School.
Justin Howells, Weston Super Mare delivery office manager, said: ‘It’s fantastic news that Chris was nominated in the Queen’s birthday nominations and is being awarded the BEM for services to the community in North Somerset.
‘Having worked in the business for 25 years, Chris always puts his customers at the heart of everything he does and is a popular and well-liked member of the team within Weston Super Mare delivery office - the entire office is very proud of him.’
Picture by Weston, Worle and Somerset Mercury.
