MEMBERS of the public have been supporting binmen and postmen, as well as healthcare staff, by leaving cards and gifts for those who are still working.

People in Bournemouth have been helping to spread positivity by showing their appreciation for waste collectors and deliverymen across the conurbation by making signs and leaving presents for when they collect waste or deliver post.

This is part of a wider appreciation from communities across the country to those work are still working during the pandemic.

Since the outbreak and subsequent lockdown imposed by the UK government, waste collection crews are continuing to collect bins to ensure there isn't a build-up on the streets.

Alex Woodrow, a waste collector with BCP Council, has received beer, money and cards from households in the Southbourne area earlier this week.

He said: “It made us feel happy knowing that we are appreciated at this moment in time.

“Everyone seems to forget about the bin men and what a big part we are playing during this virus. Just think about the mayhem it would cause if we stopped working for a week, there wold be rats everywhere and rubbish all over the pavements.

“We are all proud to do our bit to keep Bournemouth going during this terrible time.”

Refuse collectors

Four-year-old Alex Chikaboo, who is in reception at Kingsleigh Primary School, along with help from his mum Mamamoomin, who live in Bournemouth, made a sign for their postman to thank him for his hardwork.

Mamamoomin said: “He wanted to make it to make the postman smile and to tell him or her to stay safe during this difficult time.

“I helped with the outline and he mainly coloured it in. Then we laminated it and stuck it to our door.

“On Monday our postman saw it and laughed and said, 'fabulous but my hair is silver'. I said we would make another just for him.”

Just last week, people across Dorset and the UK took part in a mass round of applause for the frontline healthcare heroes risking their own lives to help others during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Clap For Carers initiative saw residents applauding from their doorsteps, window and balconies at 8pm on Thursday March 26, with fireworks being set off and motorists joining in by tooting their horns.