Seasons Waterford West residents have been busy over the last 11 months with a recycling project that is now trucking much-needed water to a Charleville family affected by drought.

Every Wednesday afternoon residents who have any cans and bottles for recycling put them outside their doors for collection. Resident, James, would then collect them through the evening. With assistance from Waterford West’s maintenance officer Franck, everything is taken to the local recycling centre to trade the bottles for cash.

According to Waterford West community manager Barbara Booth, after enjoying a BBQ from their first batch of proceeds the residents decided to keep collecting to donate to a worthy cause.

“The residents decided to put this money to a better purpose. They wanted to donate the money to our Bushfire/Drought crisis in outback Queensland,” says Barbara.

“Having collected a further $730.00 and to ensure the money was not wasted and went directly where it was most needed we approached friends of Seasons Denis and Margaret who are connected with a local church group. They put us in touch with a group called Aussie Helpers.

“Aussie Helpers connected us with a family in Charleville with three young children. They had run out of water and were buying water to drink but had none for bathing and washing.

“Denis and Margaret generously offered to match the money we’d raised. So we ended up with a total donation of $1600. This has been used to supply enough water to fill the dry tanks for this young family to ensure many months of water.”

Barbara says that the residents are continuing the recycling project. The new aim is to donate to Aussie Helpers again in another six months.

“It’s amazing what people power can do – a great result for all concerned! Our residents love having a purpose and making a difference.”