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Childhood cancer patient lands 'dream' binman job

Jenny ColemanNorth West
News imageGaskells Daniel Kinsella has a dark beard and is wearing a black baseball cap and yellow high-vis jacket. He is standing in front of a yellow bin lorry and smiling for the camera.Gaskells
Daniel Kinsella became a fan of bin lorries during cancer treatment as a child

A teenager who was inspired to become a binman after visiting a local depot during his childhood cancer treatment has started "his dream job" as an apprentice refuse collector.

Daniel Kinsella, from Leasowe in Wirral, said he first decided he wanted to work in the industry after spending a day as "a little binman" with waste company Gaskells in 2014 when he was only six years old.

He said he became a fan of watching bin wagons and waste collections while undergoing treatment for leukaemia two years earlier.

"I have no idea why I love it so much - I'm just drawn to it," he explained. "Not much has changed!"

News imageGaskells Daniel as a child sits in the driver's seat of a yellow bin lorry named after him. He is wearing a hard hat and holding two thumbs up while smiling.Gaskells
Daniel even had a bin lorry named after him

After being invited to the company's Crosby depot he said he was totally hooked.

"It was really good," Daniel said. "I remember going out on the rounds with the lads in Crosby and in New Brighton when I was about 10."

The company arranged a personalised uniform for him, including boots, gloves, helmet and a hi-vis jacket with his name on it.

It also even named one of its vehicles after him.

Daniel completed his cancer treatment in 2016 and was declared cancer-free.

He has since continued visiting depots and collecting model bin wagons.

Now 18 and having completed his A-Levels, Daniel has officially joined Gaskells as part of its apprenticeship scheme.

He will start his career as a loader and will also begin van driving before being supported through his HGV licence training, with the aim of becoming a fully qualified driver.

News imageGaskells Daniel Kinsella had a dark beard and is wearing a black baseball cap and yellow high-vis jacket. He is standing in front of a yellow bin lorry.Gaskells
Daniel has now started an apprenticeship with Gaskells

Daniel's mum Michelle Barr said she was "really proud" of her son.

"It's what he's always wanted to do and he's never lost sight of that," she said.

"I'm really grateful to Gaskells for everything they've done.

"It's 10 years since he finished treatment and if you looked at Daniel now, you would never know what he's been through."

Jonathan Gaskell, managing director of Gaskells Waste Services, said: "Daniel's story has stayed with everyone here ever since we first met him as a little boy.

"To now see him officially join the business after everything he has been through is fantastic.

"He's always had a genuine passion for the industry and we're proud to support him as he starts his career with us."

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