Robert Hartley, one of Royal Mail’s longest serving postmen, today December 1 encouraged customers throughout the UK to help Royal Mail beat the Christmas rush by posting early for Christmas. This helps the company manage the bumper mailbag during its busiest time of the year.

Robert already knows first-hand what it is like to deal with the masses of Christmas parcels and cards Royal Mail receives every Christmas. He joined Royal Mail in August 1962 and currently works in Leeds Mail Centre.

The 69-year-old also urged customers to always use the postcode on cards and parcels. This helps to ensure they aren’t delayed in the postal system.

Robert said: “I know the lengths everyone, everywhere in Royal Mail goes to during the Festive season to help ensure gifts and cards are delivered on time at Christmas. So please help Royal Mail at its busiest time by posting your cards and gifts early and using the postcode.”

Sue Whalley, Royal Mail’s Chief Operations Officer, added: “Christmas is the busiest time of year for Royal Mail and our customers. As we do every year, we are encouraging people to post and order presents early, to help us spread the workload in the run up to Christmas. The postcode is never more critical than at this time of year – it really does make a difference. We are asking everyone to help our hardworking postmen and women by using the postcode and clear writing on their cards and parcels,”

 

Customers sending Christmas cards and presents abroad are also being encouraged to post early. International cards and parcels latest recommended posting dates for Christmas delivery are:

  • Saturday 3 December  – Africa, Middle East
  • Wednesday 7 December  –  Cyprus, Asia, Far East (including Japan) and  Eastern Europe (except Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia), Turkey, Malta
  • Thursday 8 December  – Caribbean, Central and South America
  • Saturday 10 December  – Greece, Australia  and New Zealand
  • Wednesday 14 December –  Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Poland
  • Thursday 15 December  – USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden
  • Friday 16 December  – Austria, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway,  Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland
  • Saturday 17 December  – Belgium, France, Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg