Aquatic action to help heroes
A kind-hearted Perth man who has spent the last 18 months cleaning up the city’s rivers is now using his passion to raise funds to support injured veterans.
David Leslie founded the Facebook group Magnet Fishing Devils to clear junk from Perth’s waterways.
He regularly goes magnet fishing – that’s pulling up iron objects from the water using a strong neodymium magnet.
His unusual catches have included shotgun shells, needles, knives, bollards, bikes and scooters and as he is pictured with here, plenty of shopping trolleys.
The magnet fishers share their finds on a YouTube channel.
While furloughed from his job in a city pub during lockdown, David (33) was out in all weathers clearing the Perth Lade and River Tay.
David, who was brought up in foster care in Glasgow, joined the army on his 16th birthday but left after his basic training due to health issues.
He received help from Help for Heroes while he was living in Glasgow and is now using his hobby to raise funds for the forces charity.
David is holding raffles and has already raised more than £100 for the cause.
He is planning to raise further funds by selling any items of value recovered from his numerous aquatic expeditions, and in addition, is also volunteering at Perth’s Tesco superstore during Help for Heroes’ National Collection Weekend, which takes place later this month, on June 26 and 27.
David is working with community groups, charities and the council in his bid to clear the water and is linking up with local veterans’ groups and recovery services with the aim of getting more people involved with the Magnet Fishing Devils.
The group hand any weapons they find into the police, along with any valuables, which are handed back after six weeks if not claimed.
A local artist recycles some of the objects found and sells her creations in her shop, giving the commission to Help for Heroes.
“I want to do my bit to help the guys who really need help, raise awareness of mental health without judgement and help them take their minds off their issues,” David explained.
“I suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety, and magnet fishing helped me get out, especially during lockdown.
“But now it’s turned into something where I want to help clean up the water and make it nicer for the local people and wildlife.”
Commenting on David’s efforts, Trevor Fudger, area fundraising manager with Help for Heroes said: “We are so grateful to David for choosing to support us, especially as like all charities, our fundraising income has been hit and we need to raise essential funds to ensure we can keep supporting our wounded and sick veterans.”
Help for Heroes is reintroducing a range of face to face recovery activities and events across Scotland, in line with local guidance, alongside the virtual and remote support it has offered to veterans and their loved ones throughout the pandemic.
These currently include group walks, mountain biking,virtual meet-ups and other online activities, ranging from quizzes and scavenger hunts to crafts and cooking, with more being added as lockdown eases further.
Anyone wishing to join David in volunteering for the Help for Heroes National Collection Weekend on June 26 and 27 can do so by visiting: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ give-support/volunteer/events/tesconational-collection-weekend/