Stamp man Peter puts on weight to save lives

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Feb 10, 2014

Life-long charity supporter Peter Longstaff is asking people across the north east to help him beat his 2013 record stamp-collecting total to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance.

Peter, who lives at Care UK’s Ventress Hall care home in Darlington, collected a staggering 29 kilos of stamps last year and this year he has set himself a target of 35-plus kilos. Home manager Judy Wray said: “Most people try and lose weight at this time of year, not gain it, but not our Peter. He is one of a kind: when he sets his mind to it, he really goes for it.”

Peter is being helped by residents and relatives at the home in Trinity Road, as well as Care UK sister homes in the region. Care UK, which is one of the country’s leading independent providers of health and social care, is also joining in from its Colchester office, where colleagues have set up a collection point to help Peter’s efforts.

Peter said: “I am really touched by everyone’s commitment to my campaign and to the wonderful Great North Air Ambulance Service that saves so many lives each year.

“This year I have extended the campaign to include collecting used printer cartridges and mobile phones, as well as the usual stamps and postcards. Judy and the team have kindly set up a collection point in our home’s reception area where people can drop off any of these items.”

Mandy Drake from the Great North Air Ambulance Service said: “We’d like to thank Peter for his ongoing support, and encourage anyone who has stamps, postcards, printer cartridges or old mobile phones to donate them to the cause.

“The air ambulance flies more than one thousand missions every year, and it could not continue without support such as Peter’s.”