Residents of a village that played a vital role in the D-Day landings and boasts celebrity alumni including Joanna Lumley have launched a campaign to save their postman.

Families in Northiam, East Sussex, are horrified by Royal Mail plans to uproot their postie of 21 years, Rick Kehoe, in a shake-up to local routes.

They say Mr Kehoe is much more than just a deliverer of letters and parcels, but has become a ‘deeply woven’ and ‘irreplaceable’ part of the community who looks out for vulnerable residents and even remembers their birthdays. 

Residents told the Daily Mail the postman seems ‘really sad’ and expressed their concern he had not been given sufficient warning about the change.

Instead of sticking with Mr Kehoe as responsible for the entire village, Royal Mail plans to have three different postmen and women instead – with the new policy in place from Monday.

Georgie Rhodes, who is fronting the campaign, has set up a petition against the changes which has already gained almost 800 signatures.

She said: ‘To us, Rick is not just a postal worker doing a job – he is our friend, a daily lifeline, and the absolute heart of our neighborhood.

‘Rick knows every single household on his route personally. He greets us by name and even knows all of our neighborhood dogs by heart. 

Families in Northiam, east Sussex, are horrified by Royal Mail plans to uproot their postie of 21 years, Rick Kehoe (pictured), in a shake-up to local routes

The historic village has links to D-Day and Joanna Lumley went to school there (Pictured: Great Dixter House in Northiam)

‘He makes a massive, positive difference every single day, keeping a watchful eye on our elderly or vulnerable neighbors who look forward to his daily visits.’

She added: ‘We love Rick, and we refuse to let him be moved without a fight.’ 

Other residents described how Mr Kehoe even remembers their birthdays and their lives ‘won’t be the same’ without him.

Debbie Edwards, 66, told the Daily Mail Mr Kehoe is a ‘lifeline’ for the village’s elderly and vulnerable residents and was left frustrated that they were not consulted about the decision by Royal Mail.

‘He’s a lifeline for the elderly,’ she said. ‘If he doesn’t see them for a couple of days he knocks on the door and makes sure they are ok. He’s absolutely a pillar of the community.

‘Putting three people in who don’t know the area or the community, it’s going to be devastating. We don’t understand the logic.’

Ms Edwards, who has known Mr Kehoe for 18 years since moving to Northiam, said Mr Kehoe always carries dog treats to give to her pets and gives every house a handwritten Christmas card each year addressed to them by name.

‘He’s like a village friend. He’s one of those people who will just cheer you up and he’s always got a smile. 

‘He’s always got time for people, he’s always willing to chat, making sure everybody’s ok. That’s what makes him so special. He’s one of those really rare gentlemen.

‘It’s going to be difficult for the elderly. There’s no guarantee the next postman likes to chat.

Debbie Edwards, 66, told the Daily Mail Mr Kehoe is a ‘lifeline’ for the village’s elderly and vulnerable residents and was left frustrated that they were not consulted about the decision by Royal Mail

‘The whole village does not want to lose him, the entire village has pulled together on this.’ 

She said villagers have written to both the CEO of Royal Mail and the local depot manager, but have received no response, but that they do have engagement with their local MP, Dr Kieran Mullan. 

Dr Mullan told the Mail: ‘It’s clear that Rick is a well loved postman as residents told me themselves when I was in Northiam this week. 

‘It doesn’t seem to make much sense to me to swap one postman for three so I have asked Royal Mail to give a proper explanation of why they are doing this. That’s the least they can do in response to this volume of public concern.’

Resident Julie said: ‘Rick is such an asset to our lives in Northiam and we are devastated at the thought of losing him. He is the most helpful, efficient and lovely man – he even sent me a personal message on my birthday!’

In an appeal to Royal Mail, she added: ‘Please, please, please let him continue to look after us and all of the Northiam villagers until he decides to retire. We simply can’t imagine life here without that sunny smile.’

Claire said: ‘Rick helps make our community feel whole. Please don’t move him off our route.’ 

The quiet village has produced famous faces including TV presenter Neil Buchanan, and Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley attended school there.

In 1944, it was visited by four Prime Ministers including Sir Winston Churchill and Mackenzie King of Canada as Allied troops there prepared for D-Day.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: ‘We appreciate the strong support shown for local postmen and women and the important role they play in the communities they serve.

‘Under new delivery arrangements, Rick will continue to serve customers in part of Northiam, while other parts of the area will be covered by other local postmen and women. We will ensure customers continue to receive a reliable service throughout the change.’