Community spirit shines as hundreds join weekend campaign to keep streets clean

Published: Wed 17 July, 2024

Hundreds of people across the district worked together to improve the environment, and keep streets and neighbourhoods clean and tidy as part of North West Leicestershire District Council’s Love Your Neighbourhood.

The Weekend of Action took place on Saturday 6 July and Sunday 7 July and saw almost 250 volunteers doing their part for the district.

During the Weekend of Action a total of 21 events were organised across the district, drawing the participation of 248 dedicated volunteers. These volunteers generously contributed 855 hours of their time, significantly impacting the community through various clean-up and community improvement projects.

To aid in the efforts, NWLDC gave out 60 litter picking kits and just under £500 in Love Your Neighbourhood grants ensuring that volunteers had the necessary tools.

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change at NWLDC, said: “Love Your Neighbourhood’s Weekend of Action was a brilliant success thanks to all the residents that got involved.

“It was excellent to see such an incredible turnout from the community, underscoring the district's strong volunteering spirit and commitment to maintaining a clean and aesthetic environment.

“A massive thank you to everyone involved, including our staff who organised and supported the events. It makes me proud to be part of such a passionately spirited community.

Elaine Edwards, Ravenstone litter-picker and local resident, said: “Having the set of litter pickers from the scheme has been wonderful as at Woodstone we can now offer sets for families to borrow should they wish to as well has having equipment in school for our eco team to regularly litter pick our school grounds.”

Carly Hosker, a member of the Castle Donington Litter Wombles, said: “The Castle Donington Litter Wombles are proud to have taken part in the 'Love your Neighbourhood' weekend, we take pleasure in looking after our village and protecting the local wildlife.”

Paul Douglas, a local resident who litter picked at Springfields, said: “It took us 90 minutes but we filled six bags and now we have the equipment will we keep on top of things.

“The amount of beer cans, sandwich packets, coffee cups and plastic is amazing for just a small area and it makes us wonder why people think they can just drop things on the floor.”