By BRIDGET SCOTT
BERWICK resident Barry Thompson said there hasn’t been many times in his life when he’s been lost for words, but last week was one of them.
At a Blue Ribbon Foundation Breakfast last week, Mr Thompson was given a community service award in recognition of the tin rattling service he begun which now collects between $700,000 and $1 million dollars per year.
Mr Thompson started the initiative off his own back and despite his hard work was still shocked to receive the award.
“It was such a shock,” he said.
“The bloke beside me tapped me on the shoulder and asked me what I was doing, and then another chap said get up the front and get your award.”
Mr Thompson found it too hard to believe that it could’ve been him that had won.
Mr Thompson began the tin rattling service about five years ago and it is now in stores across Victoria.
He said he first began by approaching one business and the tins now exist in many retail stores state-wide.
All of the money raised from the tins then goes toward equipment for hospitals throughout Victoria and is named in memory of a deceased police officer.
The award was presented to the volunteer at an annual Blue Ribbon Breakfast in the city, where he said he was caught completely off guard.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been stuck for words except for then,” he said.
“It was a complete surprise.”
Mr Thompson could only have hoped that his service would take off like it has.
“It’s been so successful,” he said.
The presentation to Mr Thompson was part of a breakfast which paid tribute to those members of Victoria Police who have fallen in the line of duty.
The Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells presented $20,000 to the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation to support its community projects across the state.
