By Ursula Duddy
A group of big-hearted bin collectors in Derry have melted hearts in the city with a story of acts of kindness just to brighten a little’s boy’s day.
Three-year-old Jake O’Donnell from Hazelbank is never down in the dumps thanks to weekly visits from his superheroes; however, these guys don’t wear capes.
The Derry public have been praising bin collectors Mickey, Rodney and Amy after Jake’s dad, Blane, shared the story on the ‘Your Derry’ Facebook page.
‘Your Derry’ was set up as a networking forum for Derry people to work on improving Derry by connecting, sharing ideas and collaborating to help bring them to fruition.
Each day has a theme with Monday’s ‘Moanday’ for things bothering people about the city to ‘Sunday Shares’ for Derry people to share interesting newspaper articles or blogs.
However, it was yesterday’s ‘Winsday’, which celebrates local achievers and good people who deserve recognition, that really captured Derry’s heart.
Blane O’Donnell, decided to share the story of the kindness that local council workers had shown to his son.
He wrote: "Here’s something a bit different for today’s #Winsday.
“It doesn’t involve any local entrepreneurs or well established businesses. I haven’t carried out any interviews and don’t even know the individuals second names...who are these people I hear you ask?
"They are my bin collectors. But these aren’t just any bin collectors. They are the best bin collectors in the world - let me tell you why.
"Ever since my wee boy Jake could stand up straight he has been obsessed with the bin lorry. About two years ago he looked out the front door and saw a 25 tonne piece of modern day machinery that eats rubbish for a living, and his life changed forever.
"A week later the mega structure returned and Jake rushed to the front door to watch in amazement. That time he even got a wave off the bin-man as he emptied our bin. Another week passed and like clockwork the bin lorry appeared. After about two months we started to notice the bin collectors looking out for Jake as they reversed up the street. That’s when things began to escalate… they started bringing sweets!"
Chocolate
"Fast-forward two years, and the Friday morning bin collection is still the highlight of my boy’s week. He goes to bed that bit easier on a Thursday night after he is told that the bin lorry will be here in the morning. The council staff haven’t missed a single collection and neither has Jake. Every single week they bring a chocolate bar… at Easter he gets a chocolate egg... at Christmas he gets a present… and for his third birthday he got a mini bin lorry.
"The thing is, Friday morning bin collections aren't just the highlight of young Jake's week — they are the highlight of his mum and dad's too.
"Christmas morning comes 52 times a year in my house, and Santa Claus has been replaced with friendly faces in hi-viz overalls.
"Special thanks to our bin collectors Mickey, Rodney and Amy."
Mr O’Donnell then urged anyone else with ‘a story like this involving employees or members of the public going above and beyond for nothing other than kindness’ to share their stories and ‘spread some positivity today!’
The online entry has been shared almost 200 times and the council workers have been praised for their kindness and generosity.
Well done to Derry’s heroes in Hi-Viz vests!
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