'It's a great way to cope with lockdown' - Mum takes on injured son's paper round and doesn't want to give it up

After Robert Strang, 14, fell and bashed his knee while sledging with friends he thought he was going to have to give up his morning paper round.

But his mum Alice Strang knew how much the job meant to her teenage son and decided to take on the role in his place until his injuries were healed.

Up and out of her home in Merchiston by 6am on Sunday, December 27, the 47-year-old office worker presented herself at Gillespie’s Newsagents in Bruntsfield to the surprise of shopkeeper, Atique Minhas.

After a brief explanation, Mrs Strang was kitted out with a satchel full of papers and she was off trudging through the cold, dark Edinburgh morning.

Alice Strang and her teenage son Robert Strang decided that her wages each week will be donated to the Bethany Trust where she volunteers.

For the first hour Mrs Strang delivered papers in the darkness but at 8am paused to watch the sunrise with Edinburgh Castle silhouetted in the background.

Realising she was having the most fun she’d had in a long time Mrs Strang, who still works part-time at the National Gallery of Scotland, said the newspaper round quickly became her favourite part of the day.

She said: “The alarm goes off at 5.30am and I get up, leaving notes for home schooling and head off dressed head to toe in winter clothing.

“I get a few double takes when I am out from people surprised to see someone my age with a newspaper bag.

Alice Strang took over her sons paper round after he was injured sledging,

“As I did the round more I realised what a great way it is to cope with lockdown.

“It gets me up in the morning with a purpose and has just been a fabulous way to start the day.

“The first hour is in the dark but I get to see the sun rising over Edinburgh Castle, how beautiful is that!”

Mrs Strang added that she has noticed herself getting fitter – on her first day the endless stairs left her puffed but now she takes them at a run.

With the national lockdown limiting social interactions, Mrs Strang said she realised how important a paper delivery is to some people living alone in the capital.

She said: “I realised that for some of the people I deliver too I am the only human contact they have.

“Some are very elderly and don't want to go out in the damp and cold, so it’s important to deliver the news and keep them informed and know what’s going on.

“We usually have a wee chat and they always ask when Robert is coming back which is lovely to hear.”

Mrs Strang and her son have decided to donate all of the money earned to Bethany Christian Trust to help fund the charity’s homeless shelter.

Chief Executive at Bethany Christian Trust, Alasdair Bennett wished Robert a full recovery and thanked Mrs Strang for her kind donation.

He said: “We are so heartened by the commitment Alice is showing in not only giving of her time to support people at the Rapid Re-accommodation Welcome Centre, but also contributing funds in this way to support this life saving work.”

Although Robert’s injuries are healing well and he'll be back on his feet soon Mrs Strang has no intention of giving up her paper round.

She said: “I have enjoyed it so much that I’m going to try and get my own paper round.”

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