Kids go green to tidy play park

Dec 1 2008 Paisley Daily Express

YOUNG eco-warriors have joined the fight against grime crime by staging a big clean-up operation at a popular play-park.

The caring children from Auchenlodment Primary in Johnstone teamed up with teachers for the environmentally-friendly event.

They armed themselves with litter pickers and black bags before targeting the play-park in Aspen Place, directly behind their school.

And they had great fun as they filled several sacks with rubbish to leave the area looking spick and span.

The event was staged as part of the Clean Renfrewshire campaign, which aims to generate a sense of pride in the local area and help create a happier and healthier environment for local communities.

Inspired by the campaign, pupils at Auchenlodment Primary decided to set up their own Eco-Committee to address the litter problems faced in the Johnstone area.

This is the first clean-up that the team from Auchenlodment Primary has carried out and they now plan to stage regular monthly clean-ups.

Tracy Crain, one of the teachers at the school, said: “The response and attitude from the children to the Clean Renfrewshire campaign has been astonishing.

“The pupils want to get involved and address problems that affect the community.

“It’s great to see the difference in the area and the enthusiasm and effort from our eco-warriors and staff.”

Emma Smith, 10, was one of the pupils who took part in the clean-up operation.

She said: “I enjoyed taking part in the litter pick.

“It was great to see the play-park clean with no litter.

“It was fun using the litter pickers and I can’t wait to carry out more clean-ups.”

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire’s Environment and Infrastructure Policy Board, is full of praise for Auchenlodment Primary’s eco-warriors.

She said: “The support which the school has shown towards the Clean Renfrewshire campaign demonstrates that people are still determined to push it further forward and make it succeed.

“Groups and schools such as Auchenlodment Primary have significantly contributed to the great headway which has been made over the course of the last six of months to create a cleaner and tidier Renfrewshire.

“However, there is still scope for further improvement.

“More people must be encouraged to get on board.

“I am confident that we can all pull together and build on the success we have achieved so far to ensure Renfrewshire will continue to be viewed as a bright and attractive place to live, work and to visit.”

Renfrewshire Council is pumping a massive £2.7million into the campaign and the Paisley Daily Express – every Buddie’s favourite newspaper – is getting right behind the project.

To get involved, contact the Clean Renfrewshire Voluntary Community Action Team on 0141 842 4448 or visit www.cleanrenfrewshire.com