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'I'm a postman who draws the houses on my round'

Katie RadleyYorkshire, Knaresborough
News imageBBC/Katie Radley A man is sitting on a red sofa with a yellow cushion behind him holding a hand drawn picture of Knaresborough ViaductBBC/Katie Radley
Andrew Welch draws pen and ink pictures of local landmarks and houses on his delivery rounds

As Andrew Welch makes his rounds dressed in Royal Mail uniform, he's not just delivering letters and parcels.

Andrew, who has been a postman in North Yorkshire for 28 years, is also a keen artist who sketches and draws the buildings and landmarks he passes.

He sells his work in aid of the Leeds Hospitals Charity, which Andrew supports after undergoing lifesaving surgery.

"To show my gratitude for the support I got, the care I got, everything I received, I would like to try and do whatever I can to pay them back."

News imageBBC/Katie Radley A man in a red Royal Mail jacket is smiling at the camera, with a view of a viaduct over a river in the background with trees on either side.BBC/Katie Radley
Andrew Welch draws pictures of houses on his rounds to raise money for Leeds Hospitals Charity

His round in the market town of Knaresborough includes several well-known buildings, such as the castle and the railway viaduct over the River Nidd, but he also draws people's houses.

Four years ago Andrew developed a viral infection and after tests and X-rays, a CT scan revealed a fractured vertebra at the top of his neck.

He was treated in Leeds General Infirmary for three weeks following surgery and after a rehabilitation programme, he went back to delivering the mail "in incredibly short bursts, but we just built it up slowly".

He has been drawing for 30 years and when he returned to work he decided to combine his love of art and walking to try and raise money.

When he spots a property that inspires him, he approaches the owners and asks to draw their home for them.

He sketches in pen and ink based on a photo, and each work takes around 15 hours to complete.

"The idea is then I pass on the picture to them and they make a donation."

So far he has raised more than £1,500.

"It's been fantastic. They community has been very good, very positive, very complimentary."

Andrew's regional manager at Royal Mail, Adam Sutcliffe, says: "Andrew's fundraising is a brilliant example of the dedication and community spirit our posties show every day. We're incredibly proud of the way he's used his creativity to give something back after everything he's been through."

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