A postman who survived two heart attacks has delivered a leaving present to his colleagues.
A new defibrillator has been set up at the Post Office depot in Pinchbeck where Martin Deacon was working when he suffered his second cardiac arrest.
On that occasion, another member of staff had to run to a nearby building site to get a defibrillator.
It led to colleagues rallying around to raise money for him to purchase the equipment.
And after retiring earlier this year following 30 years delivering in the area, Martin returned to his former workplace recently to officially unveil the equipment.
“It’s good to see it’s now up and ready to be used,” said Martin. “For me, it has become far more important that more businesses make sure defibrillators are made available for the public to use in selected places and areas around Spalding.
“I was one of the lucky ones, the crew revived me before I was put into the ambulance.
“This may not have been there for me in my time of need, but it will be there for anyone in the future who may have to go through the same and save their life.”
Martin technically died when he had his first heart attack while playing football aged 49.
The now 65-year-old has had stents fitted since his most recent incident three years ago.
But it’s allowed him to keep an active lifestyle now he’s retired including regularly playing at Spalding Golf Club and tending to his allotment.
Martin is married to Jenny, and they have two daughters and two grandchildren, with daughter Fay having also been inspired by her dad to become a postie.
“I love being retired,” said Martin. “I can live life at my own pace.
“I do miss the people. I had my own round route around Spalding Common where everybody was my friend.
“I certainly was never short of food or offers of cups of tea on my rounds.”
Gary Rawlings, manager of the Pinchbeck depot, said: “Installing the defibrillator on the outside wall of the Royal Mail Delivery Office is a great relief after what we saw with Martin.
“We wanted to make it accessible for everyone, not just to Royal Mail employees but for the general public and businesses around the area in Enterprise Way.”
