Fife's unsung heroes: David Barbour

Postie David is delivering smiles during lockdown.
Postman David Barbour dressed up as Elvis on his roundsPostman David Barbour dressed up as Elvis on his rounds
Postman David Barbour dressed up as Elvis on his rounds

Fife has many unsung heroes who have gone the extra mile to help others during the coronavirus lockdown. They are working hard behind the scenes to make sure that our buses still run, our prescriptions dispensed, and our services all keep ticking over. They deserve their moment in the spotlight as part of our Big Thank You.

David Barbour, a postman from Kirkcaldy has been brightening up the day of countless people whilst delivering the mail on his route in fancy dress.

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David had the idea after seeing posties do the same thing in other areas, he created a Facebook post asking people if they would like to see him dressed as different characters, and after a little less conversation he set out on his beat in Cardenden dressed as Elvis.

David said: “A lot has changed since the pandemic started, I usually start the day at the depot sorting out my mail for the day but now the other postie on the Cardenden route does that before dropping my bags off to me in the town.

“My colleague will take the van and deliver the parcels while I deliver the letters – In a normal week I’m walking between 60 to 80 miles!

“After seeing other posties dressing up, my mum and stepdad dared me to dress up as well, so I put a post on Facebook asking people if I should dress up as Elvis and loads of folk said I should go for it.”

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“I’m friends with a lot of people that I deliver to and when I dress up they are all very supportive, if I don’t dress up they moan at me.”

David has continued to dress up as different character throughout the lockdown and has even set up a GoFundMe campaign for Cancer Research after one of his close friends was diagnosed with breast cancer.

He adds: “I have been round my route dressed as a fairy princess, a nun, a cheerleader, Elvis and Super Mario, and I still have a few left to go.

“I want to raise money for Cancer Research as I have family members who have had cancer and my pal was recently diagnosed with breast cancer – The GoFundMe has almost raised £800.

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“I’m not really scared of the coronavirus, I just get on with my job and keep my distance from people to keep myself right, I hope this will be over soon so we can get back to normal.”

You can donate to David’s GoFundMe online by going to www.gofundme.com/f/mszp8-david039s-campaign-for-cancer-research-uk

» To nominate someone for our Big Thank You please email [email protected]

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers; the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen, East Fife Mail and Glenrothes Gazette.

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Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty.

The support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with your community during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

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Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press

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