John Brouard, often known as ‘The Paper Man’, runs the newspaper kiosk at the bus terminus. After a period of illness, and defying the wishes of his family to seek medical help, he was eventually admitted to hospital earlier this week.
His family have been covering his many deliveries as best they can since he became unwell.
Niece Tracey Bougourd said that Mr Brouard had collapsed in his kiosk and she thanked those who had raised the alarm.
‘Some friends were concerned they hadn’t seen him and called the fire brigade,’ she said.
‘They had to cut the bolts on the shop to get him out.
‘A huge thank you to those who raised the alarm. You truly helped him when he needed it most. Thanks also to the fire brigade and to the ambulance crew, thank you for treating a very stubborn man with such patience, care and kindness.’
Mrs Bougourd said her uncle was now comfortable in hospital.
‘He is very poorly and immobile at the moment and obviously in a lot of pain. If he wasn’t I’m sure he would be back out on his round,’ she said.
‘We’re hopeful that with the right treatment, and if he allows them to look after him, he’ll bounce back stronger than before.’
Mr Brouard, now 78, has been delivering and selling newspapers all his life, having, with his late brother, taken over the newsagents shop from his father decades ago.
‘We didn’t realise how many people were looking out for him until recently.
‘The response from everyone has been quite overwhelming,’ said Mrs Bougourd. ‘Everyone calls him a legend but he always said he could never understand why.’
Mrs Bougourd said she and other members of the family were covering her uncle’s rounds while he was ill and they wanted to hear from anyone who had not received their papers.
‘I think we have now reached most of his customers and we will be carrying on his round in the near future,’ she said.
She asked customers who had been left without deliveries to contact her by call or message on 07781 119127.