During the Covid-19 pandemic postal workers have played an important role in keeping local communities connected, but one worker this year took her role one step further.
In
November 2020, An Post’s Catherine Farrell, a postwoman in County Cavan,
Ireland, was selected as one of the country’s ‘Inspirational Heroes’ as
part of a competition hosted by Gala Retail and Virgin Media.
Farrell, who has been with An Post for 17 years, worked hard throughout
the Covid-19 pandemic to bring joy and laughter to many local homes. But
it was an event on Tuesday June 11, 2019 that really made her stand
out. While out on delivery, she saved the life of an elderly customer
being savaged by a dog. Without her intervention, the man would have
almost certainly died.
“When I arrived at the house of Jimmy Thompson he was on the ground and a
dog was viciously attacking him,” she explains. “I could tell instantly
that an artery had been severed and I knew I had to act quickly before
he bled to death.”
It was Farrell’s quick thinking that helped save Thompson’s life. “A
neighbour was also there to help. I told him to grab a big stick. I used
my green delivery tray as a shield and got close to Jimmy. I then swung
it at the dog and the neighbour did the same with the stick. Eventually
the dog let go and we quickly got Jimmy back into his house and called
the emergency services.”
Thompson had been making his way back to his home after checking on his
cattle when the attack happened. “Once in his house I put pressure on
the wound until help arrived. Jimmy was airlifted to hospital where he
spent seven months and had 13 operations. Thankfully he is back home
now.”
Farrell believes responding to the incident in the way she did was “all
in a day’s work” and is a modest hero. “I would’ve died that day to save
that man’s life – by whatever means possible, I was going to get that
dog off that man,” she says. “To be honest, I look at Jimmy as the real
hero. I see him every day now, walking up his path and that makes me
very happy.”
The dog attack incident wasn’t the first time Farrell played a part in
saving someone’s life. Earlier in 2019 she helped a man out of a vehicle
after it had skidded off the road in icy conditions and landed in a
ditch.
Farrell is a key part of her community and supports residents in any way
she can. “Being a postal worker is not just about delivering mail, it’s
also about being there for everyone – both young and old,” she says. “I
often take a few seconds out of my day to check in on people to see if
there is anything they need. I help elderly customers write cards, post
mail or with their washing.
“During Covid-19 I found that my role in the community became more
important,” she continues. “I helped people by buying them milk and
bread when they couldn’t get to the shops, for example. I get such a
boost from helping people, because whatever I do for them I get back in
leaps and bounds. I have received care packages during Covid-19 and
notes thanking me for everything I am doing.
“Some of my customers are very lonely and when I leave them I realise
that they probably won’t see another person until I come back the next
day. Therefore, it’s important for me to check they are okay. It gives
me a boost to know they are safe and well,” she concludes.
