Dalry's Abbie is fourth member of family to take on Ardrossan Herald paper round

And the 11-year-old has pushed her sales up from 30 a week to a remarkable 133.

Abbie who is accompanied by her mum and uncle on her weekly round, inherited the job from her older brother John, 22, last month. 

John did the paper round for seven years after taking it on from sister Lisa.
And Lisa, now 25, took over from the Blackwoods’ oldest daughter, Carene, 28, who worked as a paper girl from the age of 10 until she was about 16.

Abbie’s dad Gordon Blackwood said: “The kids all did paper rounds growing up. It passed from sister to sister, to brother and now to sister so it’s been in our family for about 22 years. 

“Abbie used to sometimes do John’s round for him when he was at university or working in McDonalds, so when he gave it up she was desperate to take it over. She loves it. She likes the routine.

“Abbie makes wee things, like charms and bracelets, and gives them to her customers. She gives things to the customers’ pets as well. Every week, she has treats for their cats and dogs, as well as sweets for the kids. She’s already planning for Christmas. She’s making wee calenders and cookies for everyone.”

It takes Abbie two-and-a-half hours to carry out her round every Wednesday afternoon. Despite only taking on the job about a month ago, the Stanecastle School pupil already has a vastly expanding customer-base thanks to her business acumen. 

Gordon said: “She started with about 30 papers but it’s now up to 133 and it’s growing every week! Carene had a big run of about 100 papers. Lisa and John did less, and now it’s going back up again. Abbie’s very keen. She’s always asking people if they want and Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald. 

“She’s a great saleswoman. Everybody she sees, she’ll ask them if they get the paper. She’s plugging the paper well! She’ll ask people coming out the shop, people rolling down their car windows – everyone.

“Her mum and her uncle help her out but she doesn’t let them go up to the doors – that’s her job. She’s very keen when she does the round. We’ve said to her when it’s not nice outside we’ll help out by going to the doors but she’ll not not let anybody do it. She’s determined to do it even in all weathers.”

David ‘Gus’ Angus, delivery agent, described Abbie as “a star performer”.
He said: “Abbie has proved that hard work and a cheeky smile can bring success. It’s unbelievable. Going from 30 to over 130 papers so quickly – I don’t know how she’s done it. She’s a delightful girl. She made a wee lucky charm for me and I’ve got it on my keyring.

“I’m in charge of 40 kids doing paper rounds and they all work hard in all weather, but Abbie is a star performer.”

Well done Abbie, from all at the Herald.