There’s no two ways about it — when it comes to pitching in when the chips are down, residents in the Port Macquarie-Hastings come up trumps.
The devastating floods in Queensland, NSW and Victoria come as no exception, with locals going all out to raise money for the victims who have lost so much.
From Rotary raffles to bowling club fundraisers, one and all have pulled together to help rebuild other people’s lives.
So too, one very inspiring group of Port Macquarie residents have banded together to jump aboard the charitable bandwagon.
A group of people with disabilities will be heading to Brisbane, Queensland next week to help clean up in the aftermath of the floods.
Port’s unsung heroes from the Envirogang team will be doing what they do best across the state’s border — cleaning up around the streets, waterways and ports of Brisbane.
“One of things we all hate is pollution; we hate seeing our waterways, ours streets and our communities covered in pollution — pollution that could easily be put in the many rubbish bins on our sidewalks,” a spokesman and member said.
“To help with this saving of our community from pollution is our special gang — the Envirogang.
“The Envirogang is made up of people from ACES (Access Community Education Services) who, once a week, for four hours, take a taskforce to the streets to clean up.”
ACES is a local organisation supporting people with disabilities.
Under the guidance of Paul Martin from ACES, the green troops will be packing up the organisation’s trailer and heading to Queensland to get their hands dirty next week.
It will be a 10-day mission, Mr Martin said, and a great learning experience for “gang” members.
It is also the first trip away for the group.
Gang members are looking forward to getting in the grit of things for a good cause, Mr Martin said, and doing something rewarding.
“Not only do they do this because they care for the environment but they also recycle whatever they can and it is a valuable work experience for people involved,” Mr Martin said of the overall program.
“It includes OHS, learning about the environment and conditions people will encounter in a working environment.
“Money raised from cans that are cashed in goes towards the ACES Christmas barbecue.”
The Envirogang was given a green thumbs up to get up and running in 2008.
The rubbish that is mostly found is aluminum cans, recyclables, red bin rubbish and hazard rubbish.
Volunteers are always welcome, Mr Martin said.
For more information phone ACES on 6581 2348.
