Postie’s prize after delivery of... a baby!

Mar 14 2008 by Jean Parry, South Wales Echo

A POSTMAN who helped a pregnant mum give birth on her doorstep has been rewarded for his first class actions.

Ryan Davenport, 28, was on his usual round in St Mellons, Cardiff, when he heard the cry from 34-year-old Melanie Newman: “Help, my baby is arriving.”

Guided by a parademic on the phone, he then sprang into different delivery mode – along with Melanie’s neighbour, Tracy Jones – and minutes later 6lb 6oz baby Sophie was born just inside the doorway at Clos Maerun last July.

Ryan’s express delivery has now seen him named as one of the three Welsh winners in the Royal Mail’s First Class People Award to find posties who go above and beyond the call of duty in their everyday lives.

He said: “I’m thrilled to bits and very honoured and I’m looking forward to going to London for the presentation.”

He will receive £500 and a winner’s certificate.

At the time he made his extra-special delivery last year, Ryan, of Clos y Betws, St Mellons and a dad himself, said it was by far the most unusual thing ever to happen to him.

He added: “One minute I was delivering mail, the next I was delivering a baby.”

Melanie said: “I don’t know what I would have done if Ryan hadn’t come along.”