Labour of love

Postman Joe Elms continued his Christmas labour of love to his local hospital’s children’s ward.

Joe, who is on the Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre (HWDC) night shift, has fundraised and delivered toys to children in hospital at Christmas for the last 42 years.

With the help of HWDC night-shift colleagues, kind-hearted Joe continued his long-standing tradition by handing out presents to the children stuck on the ward over Christmas.

Britwell born and bred, Joe launched his present appeal at the age of 18. Incredibly, 42 years later, his fundraising campaign is still going strong.

In December, he raised £2,000 in the build up to the festive season with the help of events staged at Farnham Royal Cricket Club.

Club member Joe Elms said the club was initially aiming for £1,000. ‘We couldn't believe how well we'd done,’ he said. ‘It's brilliant.’

Joe delivered the presents, which ranged from cuddly toys to cot mobiles to both patients and staff at the hospital in Wexham Street the week before Christmas and said the kids on the children’s ward were ‘over the moon.’

‘I’d like to particularly thank the night shift Distribution team with a huge thank you to Paul Cordell for his 200-mile cycle ride, which raised £500 towards my Christmas appeal,’ said Joe.

He also told the Slough Express: ‘I’m a local boy and it’s a local hospital. I’ve always lived in Slough and always supported the town. They've got a hard job looking after kids at Christmas. It makes my Christmas knowing that I’ve done it.’

Picture by Slough Express.