Two firm friends have encouraged young people to consider a paper round ahead of this year’s Home Delivery Awards.
Paper boys and girls across the north and north-east are being recognised as part of an annual celebration of their work.
Joanne McDonald and Erin Kindness were joint winners in the most Dedicated Delivery Agent P&J City and Shire category last year.
The pals – who have known each other since playgroup – are both now 18 and have left their paper rounds in Stuartfield to begin university in Aberdeen.
Both still credit their paper round as an “important stepping stone” that helped them pursue their studies.
Miss Kindness said: “My friend’s sister did a paper round and I took it over temporarily – but then ended up doing it for good.
“It was always a good incentive to get up early before school and get a little bit of extra money to spend.
“On my round you’d get the chance to speak with a lot of people, especially some elderly people who would come to the door for a chat – it was really nice.
“It was surprising to win the award last year – Joanne’s mum wrote us in.
“We got to go to an amazing ceremony at the Belmont Cinema.”
Miss Kindness is currently studying at RGU, with dreams of becoming a solicitor.
Meanwhile, her brother has taken on her paper round.
She added: “It’s a long process but I’m enjoying the course so far.
“My paper round was definitely useful for it- it gave me skills surrounding time management as well as more confidence from an early age.”
Pal Miss McDonald is now studying geography at Aberdeen University, and eventually hopes to become a primary teacher.
She said: “As a first job – it is really good.
“I did it for about a year and a half after my neighbour’s son passed it on.
“I’d get up about 6.45am – and really didn’t mind the early start.
“Paper rounds gives you something to do before school and something to call your own.
“It’s a stepping stone to something more, I’d recommend doing one, definitely.”
Ahead of the Home Delivery Awards in November, readers are being urged to make nominations in one of four categories: deliverer of the year, shining star, care in the community or retail deliverer of the year.
Family and friends of the delivery person can also make a nomination, as can family or friends on behalf of a customer.
After nominations have been submitted, there will be three finalists selected for each category.
The finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony at Marischal Square, Aberdeen, on November 3.
