Bye Bye bottle tops

A SCOUT leader who collected more than a tonne of bottle tops for a bogus charity has today been able to off-load them.

Stewart Bethell took over the bottle-top fundraiser from a former leader at the 24th Ipswich Scout Group more than a year ago, attempting to collect ten-tonnes of the plastic.

The idea was to exchange the bottle tops for money which could be used to buy wheelchairs for youngsters.

But when the Scouter-in-charge found out the charity was bogus he was left with a rented garage full of the bottle tops and no where for them to go.

However, Suffolk County Council today lifted the limit on how much recycled goods can be taken to the recycling centre at Foxhall Road, Ipswich, so the tops could be taken there.

The council agreed to do this because this week they are starting to recycle a lot of hard plastics such as patio furniture and garden ware.

Mr Bethell spent an hour-and-a-half loading a large van with the tops before taking them to the site.

He said: “I am still really annoyed about everything. It just seems so pointless to start a hoax and waste our time. We could have been collecting for a worthwhile cause.”

Mr Bethell of Sandpiper Road, Ipswich, heard about the charity through word of mouth and decided to help out.

Mr Bethell said: “A charity request by word of mouth is always a lot stronger than a letter coming through the post.”

However he has managed to find a children's respite centre called Naomi House, in Winchester which will take the plastic milk bottle tops and so has kept two wheelie bin loads full of the tops.

He said: “At least someone will be able to do something with some of the tops.

“The boys will also still get their Scout badges for taking part in the project but I will be pleased when we can put it behind us.”

Have you been the victim of a charity scam? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.