A long-running community litter picking campaign in Croydon has been recognised with a national award.
Don't Mess With Croydon - Take Pride's work saw 381 'street champions' organise 21 litter picks, with 215 volunteers helping collect 300 bags of litter in just one month earlier this year.
The impressive effort saw Croydon Council, which helped organise events across the borough, crowned as best local authority taking part in the Great British Spring Clean of 2019.
The Council was presented with a golden litter picker to mark its success at the Keep Britain Tidy Volunteer Celebration on Tuesday June 18 in Westminster.
Councillor Stuart Collins, cabinet member for clean and green Croydon, said: “Warm congratulations to the hundreds of volunteers who gave up their time throughout the campaign to spread the message of Don’t Mess With Croydon – Take Pride.
“Throughout the entire year our Street Champions organise hundreds of litter picks clearing tonnes or rubbish from community spaces across the borough.
“I’m immensely proud of all the work our Street Champions and officers have put in throughout the Great British Spring Clean and the rest of the year.”
Council officers help support Street Champions when they organise a litter pick, providing equipment, offering support and organising the removal of the collected waste.
Allison Ogden-Newton, CEO of Keep Britain Tidy said: “This year, more than half a million Litter Heroes took to the streets during the Great British Spring Clean and removed nearly a million tonnes of litter from our streets, parks and beaches.
“Local authorities are vital partners in this mission to help empower people to take care of their own community – providing equipment, advice and support on a local level, and picking up the bagged litter.
“We wanted to recognise Croydon for the sheer amount of noise and excitement they drummed up with local residents by using social media and outreach to engage more people."
To find out more about becoming a Street Champion email:
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