Perth Voice Interactive

IN an ironic health twist, Leederville nippers consuming fizzy drinks are helping to build wheelchairs for kids in developing countries.

After guzzling their pop, pupils at Aranmore primary school deposit ring-pulls in a container which get sent to the Wheelchairs for Kids workshop in Wangara.

The workshop sells the ring-pulls and cans to a scrap yard for 60c kg.

The proceeds go towards building 300 wheelchairs a month for kids in developing countries.

Since 2005, Wheelchairs for Kids has raised $48,322 by recycling mostly cans and ring-pulls.

Workshop manager Olly Pickett says around 150 retiree volunteers help build the wheelchairs.

“At one stage, Alcoa used to return the same weight in scrap aluminium as tubed product we use for manufacture, but sadly that is no longer the case,” he says.

“Many schools collect ring pulls, as they are more convenient than cans and easier to store.

“We encourage that as it raises funds and is a good way of getting both the Clean Australia and WFK message to kids.”

Aranmore science coordinator Morgan Foster says the school is in the process of getting a can crusher so it can send more aluminium to the workshop.

WFK was formed in 1998 by the Scarborough rotary club.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK