Gifts galore
Thousands of strangers from across the world have lifted the spirits of a poorly 10-year-old, with a little help from her friends at Royal Mail.
Abbie Paice, from Chartham near Canterbury in Kent, received cards, presents and letters as a surprise birthday delivery after a social media campaign by her family and friends went viral.
When the prospect of a birthday in lockdown left Abbie telling her family how much she likes to receive post, an online campaign began. It ended with a Royal Mail van full of post delivered to Abbie’s home, containing items from as far away as Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Abbie bravely battled leukaemia after being diagnosed at two-years-old. After five years in remission, she fell ill last month and her family were concerned the cancer had returned. Thankfully, tests have shown that to be untrue, though Abbie is suffering an excess of spinal pressure caused by the chemotherapy she endured as a toddler.
Postman Jon Giles, from Faversham Delivery Office, stepped in to deliver Abbie’s post to her obvious surprise and delight.
‘She was very surprised,’ he said. ‘The look on her face when she saw me was priceless.
‘I was really, really touched by it all – it is brilliant to have played a small part. It’s really humbling. It’s been a tough year for everyone but when you get to bring a bit of joy to someone like Abbie, it makes the job we do worthwhile.’
Although Jon isn’t Abbie’s regular postman – who works from Canterbury Delivery Office – he got involved as he delivers to Boughton Post Office in Faversham, where the sub-postmaster is friends with Abbie’s family.
After asking if he could help, Jon helped arrange for mail for Abbie to be sent to his delivery office.
‘All of my colleagues were asking “who is Abbie?” when all the post started coming in. We couldn’t believe how much she was sent!’
Abbie was said to be “over the moon” at receiving the gifts and has donated some items to the children’s ward at Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital.
Her mum, Lisa, told Kent Online: ‘We are absolutely blown away by the number of cards. People care – that’s what we’ve got from the messages.’
You can see how the delivery was made by Jon with this video.
Abbie’s family are raising money for the hospital, too. Click here to donate.
