Posties from Lockerbie delivery office climbed the three highest peaks in Dumfries and Galloway — The Queensberry, Criffel and The Merrick — in May to raise funds for 15- year-old Kelsey Palmer.
Kelsey was born premature, weighing less than a bag of sugar, after her mum Stacey Wright’s waters broke at 19 weeks.
During the birth Kelsey suffered a brain haemorrhage and as a result has been left with severe cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, is profoundly deaf and paraplegic and also suffers from epilepsy, meaning she needs 24-hour care and access to specialist equipment.
When the teen outgrew her specialist chair, the upgrade came up with a daunting £1800 price tag. And the family did not qualify for funding as dad Stuart Palmer works full time.
Seeing how hard the family works and how little financial support they are given, family friend and postwoman Laura Sproat and her team offered to complete a fundraiser in Kelsey’s honour.
Concerned about the lack of support available to the family, Laura said: “I’m so glad that Stacey and Stuart accepted our offer of help, I know it wasn’t easy for them.
“Kelsey is suchaspecial girl and so many people were happy to help her.”
She added: “I’m so proud of all the posties — every one at Lockerbie contributed in one way or another. “And the generosity of locals has been amazing to see.
So many people donated. It was a real community effort.” The Lockerbie delivery team raised £5210 and 18 p and the figure has blown mum-of-four Stacey away.
She said: “I’ve always taken the line that me and my family are not a charity case.
I’ve turned down offers of fundraisers in the past but I had to swallow my pride for my daughter’s sake and agree to let Laura and her lovely workmates do this fundraiser.
“I just cannot thank all the posties enough. I am overwhelmed by their efforts and the generosity of everyone who donated.
“Their target was to raise £2500 and they have doubled that. I’ll never stop thanking them. It means so much to me and my family.”
Stacey is using the leftover money to purchase a special swing for Kelsey and the rest will be set aside until the next time Kelsey needs new equipment.
