'Local legend' who cleans and grits city streets rewarded with a Sheffield United season ticket

Andy Smith gets up most days at 5:30am to clear leaves, litter and pick-up dog mess to keep his local area clean – without expecting anything in return.

However the community wanted to repay him for his work and a GoFundMe page has been set up.

The fundraiser is currently at £725 after only six days.

Adam Chamberlain, 43, manager of the Big Tree pub, who set up the fundraiser, said: “Everybody knows Andy. Even if they don’t know who he is, they know of him. He’s a local legend.

“This fundraiser was needed for everyone to realise that we wouldn’t have such a nice to live in if it wasn’t for Andy. Woodseats would be worse off without him.”

Sheffield United was told of Andy’s story by the Star and want to award him with a signed shirt.

A spokesman for the club said: “It is heart-warming to learn of United fans serving their community well and it appears that Andy is living up to his local legend tag.

“Credit too to the community of Woodseats for coming together to reward him for his efforts. We’ll be delighted to welcome Andy to Bramall Lane when it is safe to do so.”

Nigel Davy, 38, assistant manager of the Big Tree pub has been a friend of Mr Smith’s for over 10 years. He said: “It tells you that Woodseats cares about the community and the work Andy does in the area.

“We got him a blades shirt for his 60th birthday last year we know he loves the Blades. He will be over the moon to be able to go watch them again.”

Andy, who was a caretaker at Meadowhall said: “I want to thank the people of Woodseats, it’s much appreciated.

"I’ve lived here most of my life and Woodseats means a lot to me. I’ll go the shops and if I see rubbish on the floor, I make sure to pick it up.”

The community has helped Mr Smith in other ways too, with Unit 1 hardware shop putting out a collection pot for him and KCM Waste Management kitting him with professional cleaning equipment.