YOUNG environmentalists from two North-East schools have pulled together to clean up their community.
Year 5 pupils from Middlestone Moor Primary Academy and Year 7 pupils from Whitworth Park Academy, both in Spennymoor, teamed up with staff from their schools’ parent Trust, the Advance Learning Partnership (ALP), to conduct a litter pick of their town.
The 27 pupils and staff were joined by Durham County Council’s anti-litter mascot, Tidy Ted, five members of County Durham Fire and Rescue, and local councillors Liz Maddison and Billy McAloon.
Julie Gibson, ALP’s Lead Health Advocate, who helped organise the joint effort through her role as a County Durham Community Champion, said: “At ALP, we recognise that our schools are vital parts of their local communities.”
“It’s important to find opportunities like this to forge links with our communities, because we have a vested interest in supporting the communities where our pupils and staff live and learn, and we want to do more to reinforce those connections.”
Together, the team bagged 23 sacks of discarded rubbish as part of Durham County Council’s annual Big Spring Clean Campaign.
“The Big Spring Clean is a great activity to get staff and pupils involved with,” added Julie.
“It’s just good to show young people the real benefits of volunteering their time, and the impact it makes in our local communities. I hope it gives them another reason to be proud of their hometown.”
The schools were provided with litter-picking equipment by the Durham County Council Litter Free team, and Julie is keen to make the most of the loan by organising future litter picks across the area.
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