Some people’s rubbish is others’ treasure
A local couple collects items deemed as rubbish to help various charities.
UMBILO’S George Mitchley and Lyn McIlvaney are fundis at collecting unwanted rubbish, which they say is actually treasure.
The couple, who met many years ago as Springbok dart players, take walks every day, sometimes twice a day, where they search for aluminium tops from wine bottles, bottle tops, bread tags and newspaper, which they collect for a good cause.
George said the idea to start collecting these items came to him years ago when he felt he would like to do something for charity. He started to collect bottle tops which he has been donating to Di Turner from the SA Guide Dog Association since the early 2000s. Lyn joined George in his project in 2006.
“I sell the tops to a scrap dealer, and the money is donated to Di. It costs R10 000 to train a guide dog, and together with other donors, we have helped to train two dogs, with the money for the third dog almost completely raised,” he said.
Lyn said the newspaper is handed to St Cyprian’s Church where it is being recycled to help raise funds to fix the church roof, and the bread tags are handed in at Spar to help raise money for wheelchairs.
“It takes us eight months to raise R1750 and people say we work so long for such a little money. It’s not about the money, it’s about the idea that we are doing something worthwhile!” said Lyn.
She said their walks also keep them fit and she was told by a doctor after a bad fall last June, that the reason she didn’t break any bones was because of all the walking she does.
“It took me two years to teach George to look in rubbish bins! We are amazed by what people throw away and we want to tell people that there is so much value and aid from total garbage. We also meet so many people on our walks, I love it! I talk to everyone and there are so many people around. George just waits patiently for me to chat,” she laughed.
She said people in the area now know what the couple are doing, and people bring newspaper and other items to them to help their cause.
“We have so much stored in our garage, that we can hardly get the car in there! We want to thank everyone who assists us and brings us things,” she said.
If anyone wants to help with donations of newspaper, can and bottle tops and bread tags, contact Lyn on 072 345 2667.
