Over the Christmas period last year, Salford refuse collectors took it upon themselves to say 'Enough is enough' for underprivileged children in their city, coming up with the idea of not just collecting waste but also gifts for children.
Headed by Salford City UNISON convenor, Samuel Barry, plus the branch and Salford City Council management, households were encouraged to buy an extra present which was collected with the refuse and distributed through local charities. Over five thousand gifts were collected with a monetary value of over £25,000.
"The initiative was a great success" says Sam "We actually had to acquire a second shipping container as the amount of presents exceeded any expectations from everyone."
This year the exercise is being repeated, with residents asked to leave out unwrapped new items suitable for babies to 16 year olds during collection dates 3rd-6th December, or handed to any crew during that week. Gifts can also be dropped off at the Salford City UNISON office on 443-445 Chorley Road, Swinton M27 9LQ between 9am to 5pm, Monday 2nd December to Friday 7th December.
Gifts can be anything new, unwrapped and suitable, from cosmetics to selection boxes, dolls, clothing, games, books and sports equipment. UNISON, GMB and Unite unions are sponsoring red high visibility jackets and Santa hats for the crews to wear during the week of the collection.
"We have over 110,000 households on our weekly rounds so if even half of them bought just one extra, small present to donate to this appeal it would make such a difference to so many struggling families" says Sam, who this year will be helped by Rotary in Worsley volunteers who will be supporting the appeal by sorting and distributing the gifts.
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