Local volunteer, known for cleaning ditches in southeast, has truck stolen

A man from Grunthal, known for helping keep ditches clean in the area, might be forced to end his volunteer efforts. That is because Cecil Bayliss had his pickup truck stolen last week, his tool for getting around.

Bayliss says for about four years now he has been volunteering his time, collecting tin cans from ditches along Provincial Roads 303 and 403 and Highways 12 and 59. Bayliss does it out of the goodness of his heart and for the love of animals.

Twice a week, Bayliss and a friend will grab a coffee and then drive slowly down the roads, keeping their eyes open for any beer cans or pop cans that might be lying in the ditch. If they spot a can, they stop to pick it up and toss it in a bag.

According to Bayliss, for the first two years, he and a friend would drive 35 kilometres per day, five days a week. But he says his pension cheques now only allow him to do this work twice weekly. 

In an average week, Bayliss and his partner will collect 144 beer cans. He notes they crush the cans and receive 10 cents per can. The tabs are also removed to help children in need. 

Bayliss says his volunteer efforts came to a crashing halt Friday night after discovering that his 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck had been stolen from his residence. By Saturday, the truck had been located and picked up by a tow truck. 

Bayliss says he has not had a chance to be reunited yet with his beloved truck, hoping to get it back on Friday. He notes RCMP must first inspect the vehicle. 

But, Bayliss says the condition of the truck will determine whether or not his ditch cleaning efforts continue. He notes the tow truck operator has indicated that the exterior of the truck looks fine, though he is not sure what condition the transmission is in. 

"I'm pretty shook up," he admits. "I've lost interest right now."

Bayliss says if the truck is not in working order, he will be forced to quit.

"I'll be done," he says. "I've got no money."

Bayliss says there has been an outpouring of support from the community since news of his stolen truck went public. People question how someone can be so rude as to steal a man's only vehicle after all the miles he puts on to clean up garbage. 

Meanwhile, Bayliss urges the public to be mindful of what their litter is doing to the environment. He notes trash thrown into the ditch can kill a bird or other animal that consumes its contents. And then if a fox or coyote comes along to clean up the kill, they can die too, and this all becomes a sad chain reaction. 

"That's a big reason we're really doing it," adds Bayliss. "We hate to see us losing our animals."

Not only that, but he says as a diabetic, walking the ditches keeps him healthy. 

Bayliss says he expects that by Monday morning he will know what the future holds for his volunteer efforts. If the truck is not fit to drive, Bayliss says his days of ditch cleaning will be over.