North Kesteven council chairman's day on the bins for hospice charity

During his year in office, Coun John Money has chosen to support Lincolnshire’s St Barnabas Hospice as his nominated charity and today he volunteered to be sponsored tp spend a day working alongside the council binmen of the district.

He said: “It is a terrific cause that touches on so many people’s lives and helps them through at the most critical and important times.”

Coun Money explained he chose Ash Wednesday for his ‘Chairman’s Day on the Bins’ in honour of the old name for the refuse lorries - ‘ash carts’ harking back to the days when the rubbish collected contained a lot of ashes from household fires.

He said: “I thought Ash Wednesday was as good a day as any to do my penance and empty what we used to call ‘ash cans’.”

Commenting on the refuse workers and their role: “It is rather hard work and these people do work very hard and we should appreciate what they do for us.”

His Justgiving page has already raised £470 and he has raised a total of £8,000 so far from his fundraising events. the page will be open for another month. Donate via http://www.justgiving.com/Chairmans-Bin-Day

Every day North Kesteven District Council’s 40-odd bin collectors handle between 1,000 and 1,200 bins each, walking an average of 10 miles in the process. The day went well for the 73-year-old councillor for Metheringham ward, visiting North Hykeham and North Scarle with the crews collecting garden waste and household waste bins, getting hands on with everything they do and delivering loads to the Energy From Waste incinerator based in the north of the district. He also joined the team that goes out delivering, replacing and repairing bins, emptied litter and dog waste bins and will join the team that collects fly-tipped and bulky waste another day.

Coun Money added: “St Barnabas is a fantastic charity that provides a haven of comfort, care and relief for cancer patients in Lincolnshire. To me, the work they do in bringing comfort to people at the end of their life is immeasurable and I can think of no better cause. The Trust needs £4million per year to provide its services, and any help we can provide this year I’m sure will be much appreciated.”

You can also donated by cheque payable to NKDC via the Sleaford offices, by debit card, calling on 01529 308220.