Volunteers needed for Tidy Towns Good Friday clean up
It’s that time of the year again to join hundreds of volunteers for the annual Good Friday Cleanup on April 14th.
Every year, Sligo Tidy Towns gather to give Sligo a spring clean with the help of a huge number of volunteers.
This is one of the groups first big outings of the year. Philip O’Brien, of Sligo Tidy Towns says it’s a really fun and enjoyable day.
“Last year we had 100 or so people on the day. It can be influenced by a number of things, the weather is the big one,” he told The Sligo Champion.
“While there’s plenty of activity with Residents Committees and all of that, it’s quiet enough on the Tidy Towns front throughout the months of January and February. It’s really in March or April that things get going again.
“I brought my young lad out for the clean up last year and although it was quite cold on the day he really enjoyed it.
“If you have a jacket and a hat then you’re absolutely fine on the day.”
Taking part in the clean- up is about “having pride in your area and really looking after it,” according to Mr. O’Brien.
Sligo Tidy Towns encourage people to volun- teer as much of their time as possible, even if that is only on an odd day a year.
“If some people can only give one hour instead of the two then that’s absolutely fine. And if some people can’t do it on Good Friday but can do it any other day then again that’s great we don’t mind.
“These clean- ups happen all the time, they go on all through the summer every Sunday morning.
“There’s about 3- 4 meeting places across Sligo and there are team leaders there who meet up and they collect rubbish.”
Picking up rubbish is only one of Sligo Tidy Towns’ activities, who also assist with restoration of buildings, planting flowers and much more.
“We have six or seven teams and one of this year’s main focuses is food wastage. There’s a huge amount going on all the time with the Tidy Towns,” added Mr. O’Brien. Anyone who can give two hours of their time from 11am to 1pm should meet in Stephen Street Car park at 11am. All volunteers will be given a High Viz Vest and a litter picker. Volunteers are advised to wear warm clothing. Attendance of Resident Associations and all volunteers on the day is very much appreciated.