Rubbish Friends out in force to clean up coast
VOLUNTEER group Rubbish Friends turned out in force recently to clear the Coastal Road pathways.
The Southport litter pickers filled 24 bags of rubbish from the side of the road and their mission was boosted by the Sands Hotel which provided free parking and much needed water in the hot sunshine.
A total of 17 volunteers turned out and split into teams to clear the path from the Weld Road roundabout to Liverpool Road, and Rubbish Friends organisers Pat Keith and Sue McGuire were joined by newly elected Ainsdale councillor Lynne Thompson.
Councillor Thompson said: “This was the first litter pick in my ward since the election and I was delighted to roll up my sleeves and help clear the roadside. The work of the volunteers in helping to keep Southport tidy cannot be overstated.”
This was seconded by Councillor Keith, who added: “It was a case of coordinated team work winning the day. There was a huge amount of litter and debris to clear and it was a job that needed to be done urgently because the detritus was an eyesore on a road that is one of the main approaches to our lovely resort.”
Councillor McGuire was equally impressed and said: “The fates seem to be kind to us because every time we have a litter pick we get lovely weather. I just hope the amount of litter we have to collect is reduced by people thinking of the environment before they discard cans and paper.”
Councillor Keith said: “There was an amusing incident during the litter pick when a woman cyclist, from Australia, asked if she could take a picture of the back of our jackets because our title, Rubbish Friends, really caught her imagination. Who knows, maybe someone will start a similar voluntary organisation down under.”
If you would like to be a Rubbish Friend to Southport, please contact: Pat Keith on 07735 005 802 or email Sue McGuire on sue@bluefountain. com.