A four-year-old Darlington boy joined his grandmother on her postal round in Darlington this week to spread joy and help people smile during mental health awareness week.

Youngster Mason was over the moon this week when he joined his grandma Nikki Gaynor, of Darlington, on her regular postal round in Newton Aycliffe for mental health awareness week which runs until May 19.

Nikki, 49, is a lead Mental Health Ambassador for Royal Mail and has for the past three years used her role to chat to residents and leave encouraging quotes and affirmations with post assuring them "it's okay not to be okay".

The Northern Echo: Mason with grandma Nikki Gaynor and Royal Mail staff.Mason with grandma Nikki Gaynor and Royal Mail staff. (Image: NIKKI GAYNOR)

But this time, her grandson Mason was able to come along and help, delivering letters, handing out sweets, saying hello to residents and handing out stickers to promote If U Care Share's Inside Out campaign.

"Mason has been into our office before," Nikki said.

"I asked permission for Mason to come in and have a tour on Thursday (May 16), and he went around the office and gave out sweets and goodies to everyone.

The Northern Echo: Mason with royal mail staff.Mason with royal mail staff. (Image: NIKKI GAYNOR)

"Then, we went out on to delivery!"

Little Mason was then out with his grandma from 9.30am to 1pm with the important task of delivering mail - but also making everyone smile.

Pictures taken by Nikki show Mason running along the street holding letters, interacting with locals and grinning from ear to ear in the postal van.

The Northern Echo: Mason on the postal round.Mason on the postal round. (Image: NIKKI GAYNOR)

The Northern Echo: Mason on the postal round.Mason on the postal round. (Image: NIKKI GAYNOR)

Nikki added: "Mason was delivering letters, knocking on doors, giving people parcels and just making everyone smile.

"He just loved it - and still had tonnes of energy by the evening. It felt so nice for the both of us to make everyone happy."

After just one day out and about and living the life of a postie, Mason is apparently ready to do it all again sometime in the future.

The Northern Echo: Mason on the postal round.Mason on the postal round. (Image: NIKKI GAYNOR)

Nikki is known around Darlington not just for her work as a postie but for her commitment to promoting mental health awareness. 

Earlier this year, she committed to running up to 5km every evening for the cause after she tragically lost a friend to suicide.

Each day when she tackles her run she also takes a selfie and posts it on social media alongside a positive quote, as she says she simply wants to “make a difference”.

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For her, seeing a whole week dedicated to promoting a cause she is so passionate about is simply heartwarming.

Nikki said: "Mental health awareness is so important - there is a clear message that needs to get out. It is okay not to be okay.

"People do bottle things up.”