Best buddies aged 61 and 15 boost campaign
A SHOP worker aged 61 and a 15-year-old schoolboy have become firm friends as they battle the scourge of litter.
Neighbours Julie Taylor and Ben Thornbury have set up a thriving clean-up group. Aspiring conservationist Ben, of Malmesbury, Wiltshire, said litter-picking had helped to keep their spirits up through the pandemic.
He recalled: ‘Around four years ago, Julie asked me if I wanted to help her clean out a hedge near our homes which was filled with so much litter. So we cleaned it all up then posted it to our local
Facebook page and we got loads of positive comments so we just decided to keep it going.’
Ben said the pair spent time together nearly every day and mostly chatted about ‘conservation and photography’.
Julie, who works in a Clarks shoe shop part-time, added: ‘The message we are trying to get out there is that everybody can get along no matter their age.
‘When the younger generation come together with the older generation we get on so well. Ben is very caring – I’m proud to call him a friend.’