Kingswood Litter Pickers

MAX MCINNES – KINGSWOOD LITTER PICKER

I recently joined Whitgift School and I have chosen to do the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) bronze programme as one of my extracurricular activities. It is a programme whereby young people have fun, make friends and build confidence whilst gaining essential skills and attributes for work and life. The DofE bronze programme has 4 sections – volunteering, physical, skills and a two-day expedition.

For the volunteering section I chose to help give back to my community and do my bit for the environment by doing litter picking in and around the area that I live. I got in touch with two contacts (Lisa and Juliet) from the local litter picking group and they were so encouraging and welcoming and provided me with all the equipment I needed, including a little litter picker so that my younger brother (Monty) could come with me.

Litter picking has been a great experience, not only for me, but also for my little brother and parents. Every weekend when we go on a walk around the area, I do litter picking and Monty helps me and is very good at pointing out all the litter to me, so I don’t miss anything! It has meant that I can explore Kingwood and help keep it cleaner: I have been really surprised at how much litter I have found.

We have found all sorts of litter, mostly sweet wrappers, cans and plastic bags. The oddest object I have found is 8 water bottles that were unopened in one package. The area that always seems to have the most litter is Kingswood station.

Litter picking gives me a great sense of accomplishment as I know that I am helping the community and the environment, whilst getting out and about and doing some exercise. I recommend it for any young person looking to do the DofE programme, especially as volunteering opportunities at my age (13) are difficult to find.

Max McInnes

If other DofE students would like to do community service with the Kingswood Litter Pickers, please contact Alison Godden on 07968 498340 or Alison.godden@hotmail.com

Monty spots some litter Max bags it! Another sack of litter removed

Recognition! Our Litter Pickers, @CleanUpTadworth have been shortlisted for the #LitterHeroes prize at the prestigious Keep Britain Tidy national awards 2022. Their efforts are already hugely appreciated within the village and the Borough and, by the time The Village Voice reaches you, we will know if they have achieved national recognition. The award celebrates an outstanding contribution by an individual or group that has demonstrated commitment to the local environment and reducing litter.