Bob's Delight Over Barrow Gift

A TIRELESS litter-buster has been given a street-cleaning barrow by Charnwood Borough Council and Serco to make his job easier.

Pensioner Bob Moore is a familiar face around Loughborough as he embarks on a daily round of litter-picking and collecting items for recycling.

Bob was shortlisted for one of Charnwood Borough Council’s Don’t Muck Around awards back in June and the 77-year-old said he was “absolutely chuffed” to receive the barrow, which has been specially adapted by Serco, the Council’s waste management partner.

It has also been branded to promote the Council’s Don’t Muck Around campaign, run in conjunction with North-West Leicestershire District Council to tackle environmental offences.

Bob received his special barrow from Councillor David Snartt, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services.

And, within minutes of receiving his barrow, Bob was back on the streets on a clean-up regime which sees him go out every morning around the Bell Foundry estate for up to three hours from Monday through to Friday.

He said: “I am absolutely chuffed to receive the barrow. It will mean I can do the job a lot better because I can take brushes and bags with me and I am tremendously grateful to receive it.

“Beforehand, I was just using a refuse bin with a bag attached to it. Other people have also started to help me since I took the lead and that is encouraging too.

“I know the council is doing its bit and raising awareness through the Don’t Muck Around campaign and I was honoured to be asked to their first awards night.”

Bob added: “I have also had great help from Serco. I come across some quite bulky items and the lads come around this area three times a week and they are always on the look-out for me.”

Councillor Snartt said:  “This is the Big Society in action with communities taking charge of their environment.

“Bob has made a terrific difference to the area. When I first came down here, there was litter everywhere but he has been a shining light and it has been appreciated by a lot of fellow residents in this part of Loughborough who are now helping him.

 “I have always said that the Council’s partners, such as Serco, cannot do it on their own and there needs to be an involvement of residents and Bob is a shining example of this.

 “Of course, part of our Don’t Muck Around campaign is to reward people for their efforts which we did at our first awards night earlier this year. Often, the people involved do not want to be recognised but we think it is important that they are.”

 Sharon French, Serco’s senior supervisor for street cleansing in Charnwood, said: “Serco are delighted to have been able to help Bob. Our team built it for him especially from old, decommissioned barrows.

 “Together with Charnwood Borough Council, Serco take great pride in working alongside the local community and it has been an honour to be able to say ‘thank you’ to Bob for all his hard work by presenting him with the barrow.”

 ENDS