FOR local nine-year-old Matthew Rozynski, recycling cans and bottles has become a passion.
“I want to save the planet,” he told News Of The Area.
Matthew, who has autism, is also using this passion to contribute to the local community.
“When a child has autism, they become hyper-focused,” said Linda Rozynski, Matthew’s mother.
“Saving the planet is his focus, and after learning about recycling at school, he worked out that collecting bottles and cans was one thing he could do.”
Matthew has a wagon to gather bottles and cans around the local community.
Neighbours and local businesses have been encouraging, and give Matthew their cans and bottles.
“It’s become bigger than I thought,” Linda said.
Matthew is giving the money he earns from the Return and Earn program back to the community.
Last week, he donated $300 to the Gloucester Prostate Cancer Support Group (GPCSG) at their monthly meeting.
“It is a wonderful achievement by this lovely young boy, and the group thanks him for his donation,” said GPCSG secretary Robert Tully.
Matthew’s mum, Linda, explained that Matthew’s grandfather, local butcher Kevin Rozynski, passed away from heart complications during cancer treatment, and the GPCSG provided much-needed support.
The GPCSG relies on the generosity of the community for donations, to assist local men with prostate cancer or men with any form of cancer.
“Matthew wanted to donate money to this group because he knew they had helped his pop.
“Finding a way to steer Matthew’s hyper-focus in a positive direction is so important for him as a person.
“He wants to save the planet and help people, and collecting bottles and cans is his way of doing it.”
By Wendy BUSWELL
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