AN 88-year-old Teignmothian received a hero’s welcome as he walked the final mile of a month long charity challenge.

Eric Crocker, a former postman of 43 years, completed the Alice Cross Centre’s ‘Walk a Mile a Day in March’ last week.

Kate and Tony Crompton, close friends of Eric, organised a surprise finishing line celebration for him.

‘We are in awe of Eric’s commitment to his daily walk during March,’ Kate said.

‘He has raised more than £2,000 for The Alice Cross Centre and it has given him a new lease of life,’ she added.

Eric was inspired to take up the challenge when having Christmas dinner at the community centre.

‘He has been loving all the interaction from the public who have been very generous with their sponsorship and have been cheering him on daily!’ Tony said.

Teignmouth’s postal workers joined the celebrations, bringing their red vans up to the finishing line and presented Eric with a Royal Mail long sleeve polo shirt as a gift.

Peter Hatzer, manager of the Teignmouth Delivery Office, said: ‘We are extremely proud of Eric, he is still one of our own.’

Stephen Dallas, Andy Jane and other members from the Western Counties Branch of the Communications Workers Union retired members section were also there and presented a cheque for £100 to Jackie O’Brien, manager of The Alice Cross Centre, to be added to Eric’s total.

Stephen had seen Eric’s story on BBC Spotlight and was really moved by his efforts.

‘Eric’s stoic achievement against the backdrop of the weather conditions he faced on Friday typify the efforts of our members who get the mail through every day in all weather conditions, as Eric did for all those years serving the people of Teignmouth,’ Stephen said.

‘We look after our people in the work place and when they retire.

‘Once we saw what Eric was doing there was a collection around the retired memebers who used to work with Eric – we make sure that they are still a part of the CWU family.’

Eric, who was just 16 and a half years old when he joined the postal service, spent 38 years as a member of the Communication Workers Union, and then, having retired from his postal duties in 1993, spent a further 30 years as a retired member of the union.

Jackie O’Brien said: ‘We are very grateful to Eric, to everybody that took part in our March challenge and to everybody that has made donations.

‘What a wonderfully kind, caring and supportive community Teignmouth is.’

Eric was delighted by the turnout of all his supporters and said: ‘I can’t believe all the posties have come out for me.’

Eric can finally have a rest after all his walking and enjoy his local celebrity status.

He is already looking forward to next year’s Alice Cross Big Challenge!