Dougie is a first class postman!

Dougie Fillis (right) from Coleraine Delivery Office has just been announced as the Northern Ireland winner in his category of community involvement.

Two other postal workers - Gerry Magennis, employed at the Northern Ireland Mail Centre, Mallusk and Martin Armstrong, from Belfast South Delivery Office - will also travel to London to represent the province.

They go forward to the national finals, with the chance to win the title Royal Mail 'Postman of the Year'.

Dougie, who has been a postman in the Coleraine area for over 30 years, has been declared the winner in the Community Involvement category.

Dougie works tirelessly as a volunteer with two of his local Coleraine & District Special Olympics groups giving up large chunks of his spare time supervising and coaching within the Special Olympic organisation.

The Jet Set Tenpin Bowling Club and the Splash and Dash Special Olympics Swimming Club cater for numerous young people with varying degrees of disabilities or learning difficulties. Without the dedication of volunteers such as Dougie the clubs would not be able to provide the structured and safe social outlet for its members.

Such is the success of this local group that five athletes have been selected to participate in this year's Special Olympic Games in Limerick.

Dougie has been instrumental in much of the organisation and preparation work behind this venture and will again be giving up his own spare time to travel with the team to the games in a coaching and supervisory capacity.

Michael Kennedy, Regional Operations Director for Royal Mail in Northern Ireland, said:

"Our people often go the extra mile to help their communities in all sorts of ways and these awards are about recognising the postmen and women across the country who are very often unsung heroes in their local communities."

The efforts of all three will be recognised locally and they now represent Northern Ireland in the national finals joining 27 other regional winners from across the UK at a London award ceremony on 24 May, where they will each receive cheques for 500 and a certificate.

National winners in the three categories will also be announced each receiving 1,000. One of the winners will be given the overall "Postman of the Year" title and will win a further 3,000 for a holiday and spending money.