Ready to help
Edinburgh postwoman Karen Deplacido was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2019, after which she underwent surgery, chemotherapy, injections and 19 sessions of radiotherapy.
Karen has worked at Edinburgh Mail Centre since July 1989. She lives alone and was not expecting to be able to return to work for a year. She therefore found herself on half pay and not far from being in a nil-pay situation, when she contacted our in-house charity, the Rowland Hill Fund.
Karen came through all her treatment and was delighted to get back to work in January this year but, after just one week, it was recommended by her doctor that she shield for 12 weeks as her immunity was deemed not strong enough to return as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
During her initial period of absence, the Fund was delighted to be able to help Karen with her mortgage payments for a few months and then again during lockdown. Karen is keen and ready to go back to work when it is safe for her to do so.
Financial aid to current and former Royal Mail colleagues
The Fund offers grants when bills become increasingly difficult to meet because of unforeseen or changed circumstances, such as illness. It can help towards rent, mortgage and utility bill arrears, disability aids, home modifications, hospital travelling expenses, funeral expenses, white goods, heating/boiler repairs and much more.
To apply to the Fund, you must:
- Be working for or retired from Royal Mail, Parcelforce or Post Office
- Have savings of less than £12K
- Have worked for one of the businesses for six months
- Be aware the Fund does not pay off credit card debts.
Mythbusters
- You do not need to contribute to the Fund to apply and receive a grant
- You do not need to pay back any grant made
- It is completely confidential - your information is never shared (unless you agree)
- We do not work for Royal Mail - we are a completely independent charity.
Take the first step and call the RHF helpline today on 0345 600 4586 (Monday-Friday 8.30pm-4pm).
If you would like to know more about the Fund, you can contact shan.lawrence1@royalmail.com on 07841 953 842 or mary.jeffery@royalmail.com on 07553 378 796.
