Hats off to these men and women of letters.
Here are 11 Sunderland posties who made the news for their great work.
Another prevented a pile-up on a busy road in 1999 and one of them delivered letters on the same round for 30 years.
Intrigued? Read on for an Echo archive look at some inspiring Wearsiders.
5. Les was a lifesaver
Quick thinking postman Les Jameson of Washington helped to avoid a major pile-up on one of the region's busiest roads in 1999. | se
6. So devoted
Ronnie Hayman was a star in Silksworth where he spent 30 years on the same delivery round before retiring in March 2003. | se
7. Ronnie's the tops
Ronnie Ure had every reason to celebrate after being judged as one of the best in the country for hitting delivery targets in May 2003. | se
8. You're going nowhere
Postie Neil Tindale really was loved by the people of Newbottle in 2004. They only tied him to a lamppost because they did not want to lose his brilliant service. | se