Fermoy TidyTowns seek support on annual flag day
Fermoy TidyTowns will be hoping for public support on their annual flag day, which takes place on Saturday across the town. The group's key annual fundraiser comes at a time when the local volunteers are gearing up for works to get the town blooming for summer.
Paul Kavanagh, of Fermoy TidyTowns, outlined that this year, the group have incurred around €5,000 of damaged equipment and flower pots that need to be replaced and replenished.
“Everyone will appreciate that the cost of everything has soared and we have to keep replacing equipment and purchasing flowers. We have loads of expenses. We have about ten damaged pots each year that are damaged by cars.
“We have the Anti-Litter Leagues for Cork County that start the second week of May. The whole town needs to be on full alert for that and we’ll have a heavy presence on the streets in cooperation with Cork County Council and Avondhu Blackwater, and the FAS schemes, to make sure that Fermoy is as litter-free as possible and to make sure that Fermoy can once again be Ireland’s Cleanest Town,” Mr Kavanagh said.
Currently, Fermoy TidyTowns members are meeting on Wednesday nights at 7pm and at 11am on Saturday mornings to carry out litter picks and preparations, with an added meeting time to commence on Sunday mornings once summer planting begins at the start of June.
MORE 'UNSUNG HEROES' NEEDED
There has been an improvement in the number of volunteers in recent years, with many new members pitching in and taking on a share of the work. Individual volunteers were also acknowledged for caring for their own areas in estates and around their homes, putting in the work regularly and keeping their spaces presentable.
“They're individual people who have their pickers, their gloves, their bags and their jacket and they go out and do their own bit of an area and we’re mad for more of those volunteers to join us and take charge of each estate. They do it in their own time, and they’re the unsung heroes really," Mr Kavanagh added.
“Then we have people on the Avondhu Blackwater Scheme and the FAS scheme. They go out daily. There's one guy who goes out every day at 6am and he fills his bag every morning”.
With Cork County Council’s Anti-Litter Challenge and the annual TidyTowns competition both approaching, it is hoped that the Fermoy group can whip the town into shape, but to do so, are counting on the support of the public on their upcoming flag day.
“This is our major fundraiser and we do need it badly. We'll ask people to support us as best they can, so that we can purchase the new equipment and flowers to have Fermoy blooming in 2024,” Mr Kavanagh said.
For those who wish to help out with the collection on the day and can offer an hour of their time, or to get involved with the TidyTowns group, simply message (085) 2090838.