A GRANDAD who claims to have made a fortune pulling dumped supermarket trollies out of river mud says he doesn’t do it for the easy money.
David Saunders, 70, decided to take action five years ago after spotting supermarket trolleys dumped in a creek while on his regular shop.
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The retired policeman got in touch with supermarket giants Morrisons, a conservation group and the council to organise a mass clean-up, reports Kent Online.
David has since retrieved hundreds of abandoned trolleys, with his mass finds reportedly valued at hundreds of thousands of pounds by scrap merchants.
Last year’s “pull” alone was said to be worth a whopping £50,000 according to a scrap dealer.
The valuable haul was made up of 76 trolleys, five hand baskets, two children’s bikes and scaffolding.
And David stressed that despite the cargo’s value, he has done it all for his granddaughter after fearing the world she would have to grow up in.
He said: “I was on a shopping trip when I saw the rubbish dumped in the creek and thought this is totally unacceptable.
“I’m doing this for my granddaughter Ivy.
“Why should she inherit a world polluted with plastic and rubbish?”
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Six-year-old Ivy accompanies her grandfather on rubbish cleans on the Cliffe Marshes and nearby beaches.
She is also an eco-ambassador at her school.
The 70-year-old conservationist oversaw his latest operation at an area known as Jane’s Creek on the River Medway earlier this week.
David was joined by helpers from Medway and Swale Estuary Partnership, Medway Council’s environmental team and support from Morrisons.
The council’s contractors Norse supplied ropes and grappling hooks.
David was hopeful he would achieve a similar result during Wednesday’s river sweep but a lack of volunteers meant they only salvaged 25.
However, the determined grandad is hoping to return over the weekend in an attempt to retrieve some of the 40 plus trolleys remaining.
Kerry Ashdown, a supermarket manager, welcomed the gesture and provided refreshments as the volunteers put in some elbow grease.
She said: “It was refreshing to meet David and know that there are people who care for the community.
“It brings the area down when they are supposed to be regenerating Strood.
“We get good feedback from our customers that something is actually being done. I think it’s all down to local youths having nothing to do.”
