A DEDICATED team are helping to clean up Redditch in a bid to reveal the attractive town that lies underneath.
Rubbish Friends are an apolitical organisation that does impromptu litter picks to smarten up areas in danger of becoming a dumping ground.
“I always use the example of a broken window,” said team member Rochelle Crawford.
“If that window isn’t repaired then another gets broken and another and the next thing you know you’ve got a no-go area.
“It’s all about respecting your area and your town.”
Rochelle is linked to the independent charity Keep Britain Tidy and is keen to encourage other residents to take action.
“There are a lot of people in Redditch who already go out and clean up their neighbourhood, which is great,” she said.
“Where we come in is we can share what they are doing, promote their activity and offer help where needed.”
Her colleague Michael Bennett added: “If there’s an area that people feel has been neglected and we can help then that’s great.”
“We would encourage people to take a pride in their town.”
For occasional smoker Steve Pound it’s the cigarette butts strewn everywhere that gets to him.
“People don’t think of nub ends as litter – they’ll bin a crisp packet and rub a fag end into the ground. I used to do it myself, now it appalls me.”
Steve Sergent agreed: “There are so many chemicals in cigarette ends that go into the environment, harm the wildlife, into the water courses and the end result is we probably end up eating it,” he said.
Rubbish Friends will next be in action on Sunday, September 22 tidying up around the train station, bus station and surrounding areas, meeting at midday outside the train station kiosk. All welcome.
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/715511388891130/
For more details email: [email protected]
