Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER Published: 15 June 2007
From left, Scott Coventry, his mother Barbara, relief manager Kiran Parmai, Aileen McKenna and daughter Nicole
Wheelchair-users back ‘life-saver’ post office
WHEELCHAIR users this week joined the growing campaign to save the threatened Essex Road post office in Islington from closure. Carpenter Scott Coventry, who has been unable to use his legs since a 45-foot fall from a bridge, appealed to the Royal Mail not to close his nearest post office.
Mr Coventry, who was supported at the demonstration by his mother Barbara, said: “It takes me a while to get to the Essex Road office to pay electricity and gas bills and receive my benefits. “To have to travel any further, particularly if it means having to use a bus, will be a real hardship. I desperately hope the Royal Mail changes its mind.”
Aileen McKenna, mother of wheelchair-user Nicole, 22, who suffers from Rett syndrome, said her local post office has been a life-saver when they needed to deal with officialdom. “I hear we may have to go as far as Upper Street for a post office – that’s going to pose a lot of difficulties,” she added.