A Darlington postwoman who lost a “funny and kind” friend to suicide is to take on two mammoth feats to raise awareness of suicide prevention and mental health.
Nikki Gaynor has been a postwoman in Darlington since 2021 and is planning to walk the length of the North East next month.
She is also set to walk south from Darlington in the summer, raising money for If U Care Share, a non-profit organisation that supports families affected by suicide.
Nikki shared why she is taking on the two epic feats.
She said: “If U Care Share really helped me when I was impacted by suicide. I lost my friend Michael to suicide a few years ago and when I found out, I got help from them.
Nikki on her walk last year (Image: NIKKI GAYNOR)
“Michael was funny, kind and always made me laugh. I remember our charity shop adventures with my three girls.
“The North East also has the highest suicide rate in the country. When I found that out, I knew I had to do something.”
Earlier this year, it was reported that Darlington has the sixth highest suicide rate in the country.
It is Nikki’s second walk she has done, as she walked from Darlington to Cornwall last year for If U Care Share. She has affectionately been called The Walking Postie.
This year also marks her 11th year of raising awareness.
Nikki in Cornwall after her walk (Image: NIKKI GAYNOR)
The postie had a goal last year of walking 30 million steps, which she succeeded in. And she explained how she is preparing for this year’s walks.
“I am doing a run every day, I have another target of getting 30 million steps a year, I am doing 300 squats a day for a year,” she said.
“But I just want to raise awareness for mental health support and suicide prevention.”
So far, Nikki has smashed her initial £500 target, raising nearly £5,000 so far. You can donate to the fundraiser by clicking here.
Nikki will be supported by the Royal Mail wellbeing team and since her first walk, she has released a number of wellbeing bears.
One of the wellbeing bears (Image: NIKKI GAYNOR)
She said: “Since my walk, I released Poppy the Postbear. We have now released five bears throughout the whole of Royal Mail, and they will end up at schools around the country as wellbeing bears.
“Parker and Pedro are in Northern Ireland, Peter is in Scotland, Poppy is here with us in Darlington where she will end up at Gurney Pease Academy, and then we have Penelope and she is in Cornwall.
(Image: NIKKI GAYNOR)
“She will end up in a school in Helston once she has done her journey around the whole of the southwest of England.”
Nikki said the bears will support children in schools around the country.
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Nikki has been a postie for the last five years and loves her job.
She said: “You are a pillar of the community. When you are out delivering letters and parcels, you might be the only person that someone talks to.”
If you are in need of support you can contact the following:
– Samaritans is available, day or night, 365 days of the year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
– If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661 or text IUCS to 85258
– SANE on 07984 967 708, Calm on 0800 58 58 58
