A postman who "went above and beyond" has retired after 47 years.
Richard Spreckley, from Prescot, started his role when he was just a teenager in London. He then was transferred to Liverpool before working in the Rainhill area, serving Merseyside for 34 years.
The 64-year-old's last collection was at Rainhill's Post Office on Warrington Road, today, Friday, March 24. Postmaster Sara Barlow said Richard often went "above and beyond" for his customers and the people he worked with.
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Speaking to the ECHO, she said: "Richard's a minister as well, he's a really lovely family man. He has a little brood of children and grandchildren and I think he is really looking forward to spending time with them.
"On these sort of rounds he looks after all the vulnerable people in the village. He will check in on people and sometimes he is their only point of call. Richard looks out for them.
"During covid I was open and I had no staff for three weeks and he brought my lunch in everyday and helped me out. He's like a big gentle giant, very unassuming but always has nice words of wisdom and if he knows you're going through anything [he will be there], he goes above and beyond."
Speaking about his last day, Richard said he was both happy but sad to be leaving his "Royal Mail family" behind.
He told the ECHO: "It was very strange, it was happy, it was sad, little bit apprehensive for the future, but I think we all are in this day and age aren't we? It was a little bit sad because I was chatting to them before I went out on delivery and I said I have three families.
"I have my wife, my children and my grandchildren - which is one family - I have my church family and also got my Royal Mail family. After 47 years I have now had to give my Royal Mail family up.
"It's a little bit sad and I have so many memories from the first day I started in London and then transferred up to Liverpool to where I am now."
The dad-of-five and grandad-of-nine said he never thought what he did "was special" and wanted to help people when he could.
He said: "I think if you look after people in life, you're not going to go far wrong. If you consider yourself a servant and do what you can to help other people, not only does it make them feel good but you feel good about yourself as well.
"You have done something positive at the end of the day. I don't consider that special. If I want to do something I will do it, I don't think it is anything sort of special.
"Just trying to help people when you can and your customers, they become acquaintances, then become your friends and then become your family."
Richard said his "greatest achievement" are his children and grandchildren.
He added: "I think they are my greatest achievement my children and grandchildren, I am so proud of them all. My wife who retired last year has worked in care all her life.
"I thought it was amazing because when covid was at its heights I had my wife and my daughter working in the same nursing home. Obviously they were short-staffed and my granddaughter who was only 20 volunteered to help and go back there.
"She did care work so I had my granddaughter, my daughter and my wife all working together in the nursing home. That's amazing."
The 64-year-old said the most exciting thing about his retirement is spending more time with his wife and family. Richard was also awarded a certificate of service by the parish council for his work.
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