Christmas fund launched for Aviemore's litter-pick heroine

An emergency fund has been launched by social media friends to raise some money to buy a special gift for a villager who has led the way for years in selflessly clearing street rubbish and who is now reportedly facing Christmas in hospital.

Rotraud Engleitner (73) has heroically fought a personal battle with the curse of discarded chewing gum, especially, determined to remove the menace from pavements on Grampian Road and beyond.

But she is in Aviemore Community Hospital, reports Aviemore and Spey Community Issues Forum.

Rotraud has become a familiar sight in the past two years in her red caught with her husband or a carer or sometimes on her own as she goes about picking up the litter.

She spends hours on end walking along Grampian Road, Dalfaber Drive and other main roads picking up gum and other rubbish.

"We hear that she has had a fall and is quite poorly," forum member Dianne McKay told the Strathy.

"We are hoping to put together a collection by this evening to get her a Christmas gift as a thank you for all she does."

Donations can be given to Laura Lawrence at Aviemore Soaps or Andrew Whitehead at Aviemore Opticians.

"We are hoping to buy her a selection of lovely toiletries, pyjamas, slippers etc. along with some luxury foodie type gifts.

"She is a vegan so any suggestions for yummy type treats would be most appreciated also."

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