Feel-good Friday

Each year, Maidstone welcomes runners to their scenic streets for a half marathon through parks, rural roads and town streets. Using the area he knows best, Maidstone Delivery Office postie, Neil Lee, got his running shoes on for British Heart Foundation to support not one, not two but an impressive five different people.

He ran in memory of three of our own, Posties - Frank Burden, Simon Turner and Simon Porter - who all sadly passed away in the last three years. Frank was a much-loved postie who Neil worked with in the 90s and they remained close friends after Frank retired.

Neil had known Simon Turner since he was child, Simon then ended up being Neil’s manager when he joined the Royal Mail Maidstone team. Neil had a strong working and personal relationship with Simon,  speaking at his funeral to share that Simon more than a line manager to Neil; he was a valued friend and passed just a few months ago.

Friend and former Royal Mail colleague, Richard Cork, with a personal connection to BHF having had a heart transplant 15 years ago ran alongside Neil and ultimately met  him at the finish line , which was very emotional and special for them both.

And finally, the fifth person on Neil’s mind during the marathon was a customer who he attempted to save a life of with CPR.

Neil has completed this half marathon twice but this time, it took on a whole new meaning. Not only because he was running it in memory of his dear friends but Neil also has his own health challenges with type two diabetes and has fought hard to get back to being fit and healthy for this challenge, for his colleagues.  

Huge congratulations to Neil and thank you for sharing your story. If you’d like to donate to his cause, please follow this link.

This month we’ve been encouraging all colleagues to complete CPR training. Holding the skills to do provides a better chance at saving a life.  Remember, every minute without CPR and defibrillation can reduce the chances of survival by up to 10 per cent.

Click here to find out more about how you and your team can get trained.