Umbilo couple’s ‘treasure’ collecting gains momentum
“It takes us eight to ten months to raise R1 750, but as a result of the response we got from the community, we were able to raise R2 500 in much less time!"
UMBILO’S George Mitchley and Lyn McIlvaney, known fundis at collecting unwanted rubbish, are overwhelmed by the response they received from the community following an article in Berea Mail earlier this year.
The couple, who take walks every day in search of aluminium tops from wine bottles, bottle tops, bread tags and newspaper, which they collect for a good cause, say since the article was published, the people in the community have been in touch to see how they can help.
The idea behind collecting these items was sparked when George felt the need to do something for charity. He started by collecting 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.The donated money goes towards training a guide dog, at the cost of R10 000, and together with other donors, they have helped fund the training of three dogs.
“It takes us eight to ten months to raise R1 750, but as a result of the response we got from the community, we were able to raise R2 500 in much less time. It took us around six months and we made so much more. We definitely put this down to the help we received. We had calls from so many people, and I also had eight garbage bags of newspaper delivered, which I hand to St Cyprian’s Church where it is being recycled to help raise funds to fix the church roof. Nearly every day there is something on the lawn outside our house,” said Lyn.
She said Leon from Stella Park Bowling Club had also donated two black bags full of can tops and a lot of aluminium off cuts had been delivered to them from someone in Pietermaritzburg.
“We still walk every day collecting what we can, I think we have just about toured Durban in an approximate radius of five miles. We are still really enjoying our little project and have now started collecting for the fourth guide dog. It might take us a long time to earn such a little money, but it’s about the idea that we are doing something worthwhile,” said Lyn.
Lyn is appealing for bread tags which are handed in at Spar to help raise money for wheelchairs, as well as newspaper, metal bottle tops, can tabs and magazines.
If anyone wants to help with donations, contact Lyn on 072 345 2667.
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