THE Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council is calling for volunteers to do their bit for the local environment by supporting a youth-led clean-up at Longfield Embankment, Eglinton, as part of Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week.
The litter pick will take place in this scenic area from 10.30am – 12.30pm on Saturday 1st June and is open to everyone.
Appealing for volunteers to take on the challenge, Councillor Boyle said: “We are encouraging local people, particularly young people, to come together to take action to clean up litter on this beauty hotspot on our coastline.
“As this is our year of youth with our Youth 19 Programme in full swing, we thought it was appropriate for this environmental initiative to be led by local young people.
“We are delighted to have teamed up with a group of young eco-warriors from the Loughs Agency’s Foyle Ambassadors Programme to clean up this area of natural beauty.
“As a Council, millions of pounds are spent every year cleaning up litter.
“We hope this event will send a message to people to think twice before polluting our local environment. Everybody is welcome to come along to this clean-up to do good and feel good.”
Allan Bogle, Loughs Agency Community Engagement Officer, said: “These types of litter picks can be quite shocking for people taking part yet there is an enormous sense of achievement afterwards among all those who get involved which is shared with family and friends.
“We are excited to partner with Council and for our Foyle Ambassadors to participate in this positive environmental initiative.”
Live Here Love Here Manager at Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, Jodie McAneaney, said it was encouraging to see the initiative growing every year.
“Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week is growing from strength to strength and we’re excited to see how many volunteers will support us this year.
“Our aim is to create a clean coasts community who will continue to look after and enjoy our shores throughout the year and encourage others to do the same.
“Northern Ireland has some of the most beautiful shores in the world and we should be proud to protect and preserve them as well as taking advantage of the wonderful sports and hobbies organised around them by local communities.”
Gillian Shields, Packaging and Sustainability Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland added: “At Coca-Cola HBC, sustainability lies at the heart of our business.
“We continually strive to minimise our impact on the environment, with ambitious targets to reduce water, energy, waste and packaging.
“We also believe in a world without waste, and our 11 year-long partnership with the Clean Coasts programme in Northern Ireland plays an important role in that ambition.
“With the support of our partners Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, we are keen to do even more in 2019 to champion responsible behaviour with respect to littering and encouraging greater recycling.”
The Clean-Up will take place at Longfield Embankment close to City of Derry Airport.
Volunteers are advised to wear sensible clothing to the clean-up with flat, comfortable shoes and waterproofs if necessary.
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