Burnley posties’ 40 mile hospice helper

2:14pm Monday 5th May 2008

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POSTIES have battled through the wind and rain on a whole new round - which has taken them 40 miles to complete.

The hardy mailmen were embarking on a marathon trek to Blackpool as part of a bid to raise nearly £10,000 for Pendleside Hospice.

Sixteen workers from the Burnley delivery office, Bank Parade, set out at 6am, from the Padiham bypass, en-route to the seaside resort.

Postman Gary Elliott, 36, from Cliviger, said: "I have been sponsored for around £550 myself and there are others who have been promised £600 or more."

The posties route took them through Whalley and Billington, towards Preston, before the walk turned down the A539 to Blackpool.

Burnley postmen had regularly held fundraising walks for good causes but this is the first such trek for around 60 years.

Young posties, in their early 20s, lined up for the challenge alongside Jimmy Catlow, who is set to turn 60 soon and has taken part in the walk in past years.