Features / patchway
The postman who always brings a smile
Marcin Lipowski, a Polish postman living in Patchway, is one of twelve winners of the Local Heroes competition run by the Mall Cribbs Causeway. His prize, worth over £500, was given to Mr Lipowski by Santa Claus himself.
“I was nominated by the people of Marissal Road in Henbury,” says Mr Lipowski. “The event was kept secret from me until the last moment. I learned about the whole matter when, upon hearing some strange noises outside of my house, I opened the main door and saw Santa Claus standing in front of it.
“At first I thought he was a canvasser of some sorts, trying to sell some Christmas-themed products. However, to my astonishment, I was told by him that the people of my community declared me their local hero.
is needed now More than ever
“I was subsequently presented with a prize. It was very gratifying to see my work being appreciated in such a way.”
Mr Lipowski has been a postman since 2013, and has been delivering to homes around Blaise Castle for three years. Photo by Katarzyna Sowinska
Marcin Lipowski, who came to Bristol in 2005, was praised above all for the joy he brings to the local community, for his kindness; for the fact that he spends every day checking the well-being of his lonely and vulnerable neighbours.
This year the postman also helped save the life of a local resident who suffered an anaphylactic shock.
”While delivering mail in a small street, I noticed some commotion,” Mr Lipowski says. “A man, leaving his house, suddenly fell on the threshold and lost consciousness. I, and several of his neighbours, ran up to him, and found out that he had been stung by a wasp and developed an allergic reaction.
“We put him in a safe position and waited for an ambulance. After a few minutes he stopped breathing. Unfortunately, as there was still no sight of the ambulance, we took turns resuscitating him until the paramedics arrived. The next day I found out that he survived and regained consciousness.”
‘I realised how isolated some people must feel nowadays, which is why I always try to bring smiles to the faces of the people I meet.’ Photo by Katarzyna Sowinska
Marcin has been working as a postman since 2013, and on his current route around Blaise Castle for three years. He delivers mail to around 1,200 different locations every day. During a 12-hour shift delivering mail on foot, he takes over 30,000 steps.
”Because of the pandemic and its restrictions, people have been forced to spend time at home and are therefore ordering more and more packages,” Mr Lipowski says. “There are many elderly people on my route who are lonely because of the lockdown.
“This year, for the first time in my life, I saw a birthday party, with food set up on the fences of the property, and the guests serving themselves, sitting on the lawn in front of the house, conversing with the hosts who were inside of the house.
“I realized how isolated some people must feel nowadays, which is why I always try to bring smiles to the faces of the people I meet.”
Iwona Barbaszyńska was one of the many residents who nominated Mr Lipowski for the Local Hero title. Photo by Katarzyna Sowinska
Iwona Barbaszyńska, was one of the many residents who nominated Mr Lipowski for the Local Hero title. “Charming, optimistic, helpful” is how she describes her postman.
”This year we have had to deal with many new problems, including difficulties in interpersonal contacts. To many people, 2020 is a time of fear, isolation and loneliness,” she says.
“That is why it is so important to have buoyant people around us; people who are able to reassure others with their optimism. And that is undoubtedly what Marcin Lipowski is like.”
Read about all twelve Mall Local Heroes by visiting www.mallcribbs.com/christmas-heroes
Main image by Katarzyna Sowinska
Read more: Charity brings Christmas gifts to Bristol’s Polish families
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