'Litter picking is my way of earning benefits'

A volunteer litter picker in a Staffordshire town has said his new role has given him purpose after he attempted to take his own life.

Edd Rose's cocaine addiction spiralled during lockdown and he has struggled to find work because of narcolepsy and a paralysed arm.

He recently borrowed £1427.33 to buy a litter cart, which has now been paid for by the people of Leek through crowdfunding.

"This has just been nuts," he exclaimed, "I set out to give myself a routine and structure - anything else is insane."

Mr Rose began taking cocaine ten years ago but this escalated into a daily addiction during lockdown.

In August 2020, he attempted to take his own life and paralysed his arm in the process.

“In my eyes, it was the only way to stop doing cocaine. But now I appreciate life more,” he said.

Finding paid work has been difficult ever since so he turned to voluntary litter picking in his home town.

“I’ve applied for jobs and I can’t get a look in,” he said.

“I see this as earning my benefits.”

He spotted a cart that would give him the ability to extend his work for more than one day a week, so borrowed the money to buy it.

“I've been happy every day since,” he beamed.

“I’ve been miserable for years and years of my life, not knowing where I'm going, but this is absolutely amazing.”

After a social media post and online fundraiser organised by a friend, £2,500 was raised in just one day.

“I nearly shed a couple of man tears last night,” he admitted, “People have been so generous.”

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