An environmentalist has helped recruit more than 2,000 people to a green website after his wife was diagnosed with a form of incurable cancer.
Brian Godwin was spurred into action after his wife was diagnosed with the illness more than two years ago.
Since Mr Godwin has been caring for his wife at their Cwmbran home, he has become a moderator for the Freegle Torfaen website, attracting people to join up whenever possible.
Freegle is a UK organisation which aims to reduce landfill by encouraging people to give things away instead of throwing them away.
And to help further reduce landfill, Brian said he is also an avid supporter of Torfaen Council’s recycling initiatives, urging residents to support them whenever possible.
“Freegle has become my relief valve,” said Mr Godwin. “I was devastated when my wife was diagnosed with cancer – Freegle gives me a chance to focus on and think about something else during the day rather than get depressed about everything else that is happening.
“As well as Freegle, I’m also doing by bit to persuade local people to support recycling initiatives and I’m proud to be living in a county borough which has such excellent green credentials.”
Mr Godwin, a retired sales representative who has been married to his wife for nearly 50 years, said, through treatment, her disease had stabilised, although there isn’t a cure.
As well as continuing his care, the proactive 70-year-old is determined to recruit more members to Freegle and help the local community.
“I absolutely love it – I want to help it grow and grow and grow”.
“I’ve received things like an exercise bike and given away wine glasses and even half a tub of tile adhesive and cardboard boxes for presents to be sent to our armed forces abroad.
“Everybody has things in their garage, shed or attic that they no longer use- someone’s junk is someone else’s treasure.”
A Torfaen Council spokesman encouraged residents to sign up to the website.
“Sites like Freegle help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill,” he said.
To join Freegle in Torfaen visit http://freegle.in/Torfaen
