‘Tears of joy’

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic our in-house charity, the Rowland Hill Fund (RHF), has seen many more applications for financial assistance than usual, with varying degrees of help needed.

The Fund helped a number of colleagues who had to stay at home to shield for themselves or family members due to coronavirus. In these cases, the RHF made weekly charitable donations to colleagues and continued to provide support for other financial challenges, such as bill arrears, mortgage payments, rent, disability aids for adults and children, funeral expenses and more.

Chris’s story

Postman Chris Mauger, from Ullapool Delivery Office, has worked for the business since 2014. He and his wife Gina have two teenage children, Stefan and Vanessa. In February, Stefan was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma – a rare type of bone cancer – which meant the family had to move 200 miles from their home in Ullapool to accommodation attached to Edinburgh Hospital as Stefan couldn’t be more than an hour away from the hospital while receiving treatment.

Throughout the pandemic, the family have had to shield. Vanessa was unable to visit her brother in hospital, and only one parent could visit him at a time. The Rowland Hill Fund has supported Chris’s family with mortgage payments, however, they may need further support when Stefan is finally home.

‘Our story started last summer when Stefan began complaining of back pains,’ said Chris. ‘These passed but returned in October. Stefan suffered a collapsed lung, which was drained, and he recovered well until his back pains returned again in February. A chest x-ray discovered more fluid in his lung and further investigations revealed he had a tumour the size of his left lung.

‘Stefan’s treatment began very quickly, and we moved to Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital to be closer to him as a family. He underwent 14 cycles of chemotherapy every two weeks as well as six weeks of radiotherapy. We didn’t get to go home until July when we returned for a weekend. Since then, we have only been home for four weekends. It has been an extremely hard year for all of us.’

In the first week of November, Chris’s family received the terrible news that Stefan’s tumour had grown larger and he needed to urgently return to hospital for a biopsy.

‘We were all totally shocked as it felt like we were back to square one again,’ said Chris. ‘Thankfully, the biopsy results showed that it was just inflammation and scar tissue. There were tears of joy as we were emotional wrecks. Stefan has now finished his treatment and has never once complained despite becoming very ill with mucositis when all his treatment caught up with him. He has been an inspiration to us.

‘The quick and easy financial support we’ve received from the Rowland Hill Fund has been incredible as it has helped us cope with everything this horrible year has thrown at us. Most importantly, it has meant that we have all been able to stay together as a family and support Stefan throughout his treatment. Thank you to everyone for all their support.’

If you would like to donate towards the Teenage Cancer Trust, Chris’s friend has set up a Just Giving fundraising page, which has so far raised more than £7,500.

The RHF is an independent registered charity, here to help our employees, pensioners and their dependents with financial and other assistance in times of need. The Fund offers support for short-term and long-term financial and health challenges and for when the unexpected happens.

For more information on how the Fund can offer financial help to colleagues, Royal Mail Group pensioners and their families, visit www.rowlandhillfund.org or call the confidential helpline on 0345 600 4586.