Page 19 - Real Rochdale Issue 09 Winter 2020

reuse littleborough

Reuse Littleborough was launched in 2015 after founder
Michael Bamford noticed a discrepancy between the waste

produced in the UK and those in need in poorer countries.

Set up by Littleborough resident Michael June, bringing a special new Parent and Child
Bamford, the movement began as a way of Resource Centre for key support workers
collecting donations of unwanted baby like social workers, health visitors and
clothes, children’s clothes and toys that midwives to access items for their clients.
families were likely to dispose of – in aid of
the Forever Angels Baby Home in Tanzania. Reuse Littleborough is Covid-compliant – impact on the planet – if everyone How an old bicycle helped change Haji’s life
plastic screens are in place, everybody is consumed at the same rate as we do in the
Before deciding to go ahead with his project, asked to wear a face covering and hand UK, we would need 2.4 Earths – Reuse Haji was one of the Forever Angels children
Michael recalls taking some old carpet to sanitiser is available. Donations are Littleborough’s ethos becomes soberingly that benefitted from your unwanted items.
the tip and witnessing a man throwing away quarantined in special bays for 72 hours. more apparent.
three bikes: “They were simply being thrown Haji had been taken to the Forever Angels
away because the children had outgrown Michael said: “So many local families and Since the early days, Michael, Reuse Baby Home by his father, knowing the little
them. I think we are in that culture where it is charities have benefitted from your Littleborough and your unwanted items have boy would have a better chance of survival.
easy to throw things away when really they donations, things that would otherwise end continued to support Forever Angels, plus
could be reused.” up in landfill.” local people in need and charities. His mother had passed away and both Haji
and his father were suffering from
Michael began to ask that instead of As ‘Reduce-Reuse-Recycle’ becomes The group is currently, at the time of tuberculosis and starving to death.
throwing away items that could be reused, increasingly more important to reduce our interview, filling another container for both
people donate them to his cause to be given Forever Angels and Neema House, another Walking three miles to school and back each
to someone who could use them. baby home, which needs: cot blankets, cot day, Haji was given a bicycle from the 15 sent

towels, hooded baby towels, children’s by Reuse Littleborough in its first shipment.
The response was overwhelming, so much so underwear (for both boys and girls),
that Michael was loaned a shop for his sterilising tablets, children’s and baby With a lot of care and medical attention, Haji
venture in Smallbridge, but it quickly became clothes. thrived and returned to live with his dad.
apparent that the eco-friendly community
group had struck a chord with many, as –
inundated with donations – it outgrew its
temporary Smallbridge home. Reuse Littleborough accepts – but is not limited to - the following items:
• School clothing, including shirts, skirts, shorts, pants and black shoes
Returning to its Littleborough roots, Reuse • Toiletries, including toothbrushes, shampoo, wipes, cotton wool, buds
Littleborough celebrated its second • Medical items like plasters, bandages, syringes, thermometers, sanitary products
anniversary of operating from the former • Children’s toys including pre-school toys and books
Royal Oak Hotel in the centre of the town – • Baby and children’s clothes You can contact Reuse Littleborough via:
‘the hub that was a pub’ – in August 2020. • Wheelchairs www.reuselittleborough.co.uk
• Equipment for disabled children 41 Church Street, Littleborough OL15 8AD
• Other clothing
After closing in March due to the coronavirus White goods cannot be accepted. Email: reuselittleborough@gmail.com
lockdown, the hub reopened to customers in Tel: 07951 730 458

REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2020 18 19 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2020