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Postmaster travels 300 miles to deliver passport on time | Postmaster travels 300 miles to deliver passport on time |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A dedicated postmaster embarked on a 300-mile journey to hand-deliver a passport on time. | A dedicated postmaster embarked on a 300-mile journey to hand-deliver a passport on time. |
David Shepherd, 26, of Stratton, Cornwall, drove 50 miles and took four trains after realising he had forgotten to get it in the post. | David Shepherd, 26, of Stratton, Cornwall, drove 50 miles and took four trains after realising he had forgotten to get it in the post. |
The passport had to get to customer Hugh Munro in Rye, Sussex, by 09:00 BST the following day so that his planned visit to Amsterdam could go ahead. | The passport had to get to customer Hugh Munro in Rye, Sussex, by 09:00 BST the following day so that his planned visit to Amsterdam could go ahead. |
Mr Shepherd said his instinct was to "keep the customer happy". | Mr Shepherd said his instinct was to "keep the customer happy". |
'Vital' delivery | 'Vital' delivery |
Mr Munro was heading to the Dutch capital for a charity board meeting after stopping off at his sister's house in Rye. | Mr Munro was heading to the Dutch capital for a charity board meeting after stopping off at his sister's house in Rye. |
Mr Shepherd, who has been postmaster at Stratton Store for 11 months, said: "I knew it was vital he had it. | Mr Shepherd, who has been postmaster at Stratton Store for 11 months, said: "I knew it was vital he had it. |
"His neighbour brought it in. But it wasn't given to the postman at collection time, so I finished work at 7pm and drove to Exeter to catch the 1am train to London." | "His neighbour brought it in. But it wasn't given to the postman at collection time, so I finished work at 7pm and drove to Exeter to catch the 1am train to London." |
Mr Shepherd drove 50 miles to Exeter; caught the train to London Paddington; took the Tube to St Pancras; a further train to Ashford, Kent; and a final train to Rye. | Mr Shepherd drove 50 miles to Exeter; caught the train to London Paddington; took the Tube to St Pancras; a further train to Ashford, Kent; and a final train to Rye. |
He had just 15 minutes to deliver the passport before catching the train straight back, a journey which cost him more than £150. | He had just 15 minutes to deliver the passport before catching the train straight back, a journey which cost him more than £150. |
Mr Shepherd said: "I just thought, 'I know the customer, I know it has to get there'. I didn't want to let him down." | Mr Shepherd said: "I just thought, 'I know the customer, I know it has to get there'. I didn't want to let him down." |
Mr Munro said he was "amazed" to hear that Mr Shepherd had beaten him to his sister's house. | Mr Munro said he was "amazed" to hear that Mr Shepherd had beaten him to his sister's house. |
"It shows how dedicated he is," said Mr Munro. "Stratton is a fantastic place and David is a brilliant part of it. | "It shows how dedicated he is," said Mr Munro. "Stratton is a fantastic place and David is a brilliant part of it. |
"People keep stopping me in the street and asking if I've got my passport, though." | "People keep stopping me in the street and asking if I've got my passport, though." |
Mr Monro gave Mr Shepherd a bottle of champagne as a thank you for his efforts. | |
"If the Post Office has an award scheme for going above and beyond the call of duty, he should definitely receive recognition," Mr Munro added. |
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