Annahilt pensioner learns to walk again and takes litter collecting in his stride

Annahilt resident, Tom McGrory, has said that motorists are the cause of an “absolute disgrace” of a huge litter problem.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Tom said: “There are four roads in and out of Annahilt and I try to do them all.

“The amount of litter you can see everywhere coming along the road side from Sprucefield up the road and other shops, all down the carriageway is an absolute disgrace.

“What I am finding is that there are a lot of energy drinks, coffee cups, vapes and a lot of well known fast food boxes that have just been chucked out the car windows.

“The bags I am collecting in are not just your normal household bags, these bags would be over 200 litre size, enough to fill a whole wheelie bin.

“I have to say, I couldn’t ask more of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, they have been very helpful with providing bags and pick ups of all the rubbish I have collected, so they know themselves how many bags have been filled.”

In 2005, Tom went through a tumour removal operation on his spine which left him having to learn to walk again on a long road to recovery.

Some time later, his wife Hazel, sadly also suffered from ill health.

However in the face of adversity, Tom began to focus on what he could do to make things better in the community around him and began his voluntary litter lifting campaign.

“Doing what I do now, picking up the litter is my way of dealing with things in my life and helping the local community.

“It was when I saw Andrew (Councillor Gowan) and his son George picking up rubbish in the street that I thought, this is not right, a local councillor could be doing better things than that.

“So, I am now part of the Annahilt and Magheraconluce Community Association and it gives me a sense of purpose.

“I am always of the belief that everyone in the community can do their bit and make things better for everyone and I’ll keep picking up the rubbish until I’m not able to.”

Councillor Andrew Gowan said: "Volunteering is something that I am very passionate about and every village needs a Tom, he is a great example of volunteering and what a positive contribution a volunteer can make in their own community.

“Tom is held in high regard in this community and is a permanent fixture out and about picking up litter.

“It’s the community spirit that shines through in the village from individuals like Tom that brings the Annahilt and Magheraconluce Community Association and the wider community out onto the streets to help out anyway they can.

“We need to drive home the message of personal responsibility of your own litter and to dispose of it in the right way, take it home and put it in your bin.”