Sunderland City Council joins volunteers to keep Britain tidy

The Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council has joined residents to pick up litter in Sunderland as part of a national campaign to Keep Britain Tidy.

Following the current government guidelines, on Saturday 29 May Councillor Claire Rowntree attended a litter pick at Elemore that had been organised by Sunderland City Council's Environmental Services. The event is just one of more than 40 volunteering events organised across the five areas for the Great British Spring Clean.

The Great British Spring Clean is organised by Keep Britain Tidy, a charity which encourages cities across the country to eliminate litter, end waste and improve their local beaches, parks, and streets. It takes place across two weeks, from Friday 28 May to Sunday 13 June.

Sunderland City Council has been supporting individuals, schools, local groups, and businesses to take part in organised litter picks. Providing the necessary equipment, the aim is to help residents keep our communities clean, green, and litter-free.

Cllr Claire Rowntree, Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "It was great to get out into the community, and join so many of our residents who are doing an excellent job caring for our city. I'd like to thank everyone who attended the litter pick at Elemore, and everyone taking part in litter picks across the Great British Spring Clean. It is thanks to you that Sunderland can continue to be a healthy and safe place to live.

"It's unfortunate that there is a small minority who continue to litter our streets and green spaces. Not only can it make our community look a mess, but it is incredibly damaging to our environment. Sunderland City Council is ensuring that offenders are caught, and enforcement action is taken against them."

Many of the organised litter picks also take place across National Volunteer Week, which aims to say thanks to the hard-working people helping within our communities every single day. Taking place between Tuesday 1 to Monday 7 June, Sunderland City Council is highlighting all opportunities it provides, and recognising everyone who does their part to look after the city and its residents.

For National Volunteer Week, people in Sunderland can also recognise those who go above and beyond in their community by nominating them for a Shining Star Award. The one-off event, which will be taking place in September, will see residents awarded for volunteering in their community over the last year, with several categories including Organisation of the Year, Sunderland's most Neighbourly Neighbour, and Community Fundraising Champion.

For more information on the Great British Spring Clean and to find out more on volunteering in Sunderland at www.sunderland.gov.uk/volunteering

To nominate someone in your community for a Shining Stars Award, visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/shiningstars