AN enterprising man from Dolgellau has revealed how he helps local charities by collecting old bottle tops, ring pulls, stamps and more.

Craig Dobbins, 45, is well-known and well-liked in Dolgellau, where he has lived since 2001, and in Barmouth.

Previously from Redditch, Craig started collecting items for cash many years ago when his grandad asked him to collect stamps for the ‘league of friends’ in Redditch.

However, by now Craig collects stamps, biscuit and chocolate wrappers, washing up bottle tops, pet food pouches, ring pulls off cans and many other items to raise money for various local charities.

Because Craig is so well known for his charitable collections and donations, many people in the community help him by also collecting these items for him. This includes Dolfeurig, a day centre in Dolgellau that supports adults with learning disabilities.

Craig has files to keep an organised account of all his collections and fundraising.

He has a Terracycle account, through which he sends boxes of his collected items. He prints off labels to post and receives money in return which he then donates to different charities.

Craig uses local drop-off points where people can leave items for him to collect. These drop off points include Barmouth Elim Church, and the volunteer centre and pet shop in Dolgellau.

Craig would like to thank the people at these places for letting him use them as drop off points.

He hands out posters and asks shopkeepers to put them in their windows to encourage people to collect wrappers, stamps and ring pulls.

During lockdown, Craig was not able to send as many items as usual, but recently sent eight boxes.

Craig added that he would like to thank everyone in Dolgellau and Barmouth who help him to collect items, print shipping labels, provide collection points, make and print posters.

The charities Craig collects for include: Barmouth Elim Church, Y Not drop-in centre, Oasis community group, South Gwynedd Foodbank, 1st Dolgellau Rainbows, Tan y Maen Wellbeing Centre and Meirionnydd Riding for the Disabled.