Bin crew’s surprise for their biggest fan
TEAM CLUB TOGETHER TO BUY GIFT FOR YOUNG SUPPORTER
A KIND-hearted bin crew have a made a special Christmas delivery to their little helper.
For the past three years, Durham County Council bin crew members Gary Robson, Lee Draper and Paul Foster have taken it upon themselves to club together to buy their biggest supporter a gift for Christmas.
The highlight of the week for Ryan Cunningham is Thursday when, as he puts it, “the men” come round.
Come rain, snow or shine, the 10-year-old is waiting outside, in his own high-vis vest, to see his friends.
Ryan, who has additional needs and goes to Villa Real School in Consett, was given a Christmas card and racing cars by the generous binmen.
Gary, Lee and Paul visited Ryan at home to deliver the early present, telling him that Santa left it with them to pass on to him.
Lee said: “It comes out of our own pocket and we don’t mind cos he’s a nice lad.
“He loves the bin wagon and we just thought it would be a nice surprise for him.”
Their generosity has overwhelmed Ryan’s mum Jacqui Duggan, who said: “Ryan had seen the bin men coming round and seen the flashy lights and he was interested, so we used to go out and just watch them and then over time they started stopping and speaking to Ryan.
“Every week they have some sort of conversation and they always make a little fuss of him.
“What the crew do for Ryan is unbelievable. I just think it’s something that they should be recognised for.
“It’s really nice that they take time to speak to him and it makes his day.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the three bin crew, they’re fantastic.”
Oliver Sherratt, Durham County Council’s head of Direct Services, said: “We are really proud of our big-hearted bin crew, for their very kind Christmas gifts to Ryan over the last few years.
“It helps to demonstrate how much our teams care for the communities we serve, and I know that he regularly brightens up their day as they go on their rounds.”
Every week they have some sort of conversation and they always make a little fuss of him
Mum Jacqui Duggan