Daniel Kinsella, 18, has been fascinated with bin wagons and waste collection since he was a child
Daniel Kinsella, 18, has dreamed of becoming a binman since he was a child(Image: Submitted)
A Wirral teenager who fulfilled his dream of becoming a “little binman” while battling cancer has now landed a full-time job with the same waste company 12 years later. Daniel Kinsella, from Liscard, first captured hearts across Merseyside in 2014 when Gaskells Waste Services invited him to join workers on their rounds while he underwent treatment for leukaemia.
Daniel first visited the company’s depot after a family friend contacted the business asking if they could do something special for the little boy. At the time, Daniel had recently been diagnosed with leukaemia, just weeks before his fifth birthday.
The six-year-old, who was obsessed with bin wagons and waste collection, was invited out on a bin round in Crosby before being given a personalised uniform, boots, gloves and his own toy bin wagon.
His dad Michael said at the time: “He got to be a little binman for the day and he hasn’t stopped talking about it.
Six-year-old Daniel helps Refuse Technicians Barry Woodward (R) and Danny Doyle(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“If you asked him now what he wants to be when he grows up he would say a binman.”
Daniel’s fascination with waste collection never faded.
Even after finishing treatment in 2016 and being declared cancer-free in 2024 following years of check-ups, he continued visiting depots and collecting model bin wagons.
Now aged 18, Daniel has officially joined the company after completing his A-Levels, and bosses say he has already been singled out as one of the best new starters they have seen in years.
Speaking after his first official shift at Gaskells, Daniel said: “It was really good. I remember going out on the rounds with the lads in Crosby and the more recent time in New Brighton in 2018 when I was about 10.
“I have no idea why I love it so much, I’m just drawn to it. Not much has changed.
Six-year-old Daniel helps Refuse Technician Barry Woodward in 2014(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“It was a long day. I’ve been up since 3am and I started at 4am. I just finished at 4pm but it flew, I loved it.”
Daniel’s mum Michelle Barr, 55, said she could not be prouder of her son for finally achieving the dream he had held onto throughout his childhood.
She said: “I’m really proud of him. Although it’s in waste management, it’s amazing because it’s what he’s always wanted to do, and he’s never lost sight of that, so I take my hat off to him.
“He loved rubbish and recycling and the mechanics of it all. He’s always made things from lolly-ice sticks with glue guns. Our whole house used to be a mess.
“With the bin wagon, he would use syringes with little bits of plastic pipes for the hydraulics to make moving parts on his models. He’s just always been obsessed with how the machinery works.”
Gaskells Waste invited Daniel to go out on a round in Crosby in 2014(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Michelle said Daniel had emailed Gaskells asking for part-time work last year while studying for his A-Levels. The company has now mapped out a long-term career path for Daniel,
He has even had a lorry named after him.
Michelle added: “I spoke to him this morning and he was like a little kid on Christmas Day. I’m really grateful to Gaskells for everything they’ve done.
“It’s 10 years since he finished his treatment. If you looked at Daniel, you would never know what he’s been through.
“He’s shown how resilient he is. He was going to drop out of his A-Levels last year but he didn’t. He went back to college, completed them and he’s on track to pass.
“He’s been through a lot and I’m really proud of him.”
Gaskells Waste treated Daniel for a day out on their collection round in 2018(Image: Liverpool Echo/Colin Lane)
Jay Chiocchi, transport manager at Gaskells, said: “When I found out Daniel was starting, I put him on one of our busiest and most demanding rounds.
“The guy he was with has a wealth of experience, so I knew it was going to be a busy day for him but I knew he was going to be well looked after.
“Upon return from his shift today, I spoke to Jay, and he’s full of nothing but praise for Daniel. He said he’s worked extremely hard and has picked up things really quickly – quicker than some people we’ve had here for two or three months.
“He wants to learn and he’s asking all the right questions. He’s willing, and that’s all we can ask for.
Daniel said he had a great first day(Image: Submitted)
“Jay said he’s the best loader we’ve had in the last two or three years. So on his first day, he’s received very high praise from someone who doesn’t give high praise a lot. We’re more than happy to have him with us.”
Claire, who manages the PR and social media for Gaskells, said: “It’s so funny. The last time I saw him he was tiny. He’s six foot odd now. He doesn’t look any different, except now he’s got a beard and a mullet.
“He’s never gone off track of wanting to be a binman. It’s his dream. I just think it’s brilliant. As a company, it’s great to help someone achieve their dream.
“You wouldn’t get this with a big company. Gaskells is really community-minded anyway and they do loads in the community.”
Daniel’s story previously made headlines in 2024 when he carried out three sea rescues in one day off the coast of Anglesey, helping save eight paddleboarders stranded in dangerous conditions.
But despite his heroics at sea, Daniel said becoming a binman has always remained his biggest dream.