A group of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 from Drumchapel have made sure that their community will not be turned into a dumping ground for litter. 15-year-old James Reid from Drumchapel is the 1000th volunteer to sign up to the fight to clean up Glasgow.
In support of Glasgow City Council’s new £4 million Clean Glasgow campaign, the teenagers, who are part of the organisation Right Track which helps young people to overcome behavioural and truancy difficulties and gets them back into mainstream education, rolled up their sleeves to tackle ‘grime crime’ surrounding the Garscadden Burn.
Clean Glasgow aims to instil pride in city residents and punish people who break the law by littering, fly tipping, spraying graffiti and allowing their dogs to foul streets and parks.
Glasgow City Council’s campaign has brought a great reaction from the public. The first four months of the year-long campaign have so far seen 1000 volunteers take part in over 100 neighbourhood clean-ups,. Over 600 fixed penalty notices have been issued to offenders since the launch on February 19.
Stamping out such anti-social behaviour will protect Glasgow’s growing reputation as one of Europe’s most stylish and vibrant cities, and a renowned centre of excellence for both business and pleasure.
The youngsters came together and identified that graffiti and litter were a real problem in the area and needed to be tackled head on. They also found that such problems were having a detrimental effect on the local wild life surrounding the burn, which has become a dumping ground for bags, trolleys and fridges.
Billy Murphy, education initiative co-ordinator with Right Track, said: “I am really delighted with the enthusiasm and energy our young people have shown in organising this clean-up.
“Glasgow City Council’s Clean Glasgow campaign has definitely helped to raise their awareness of and focus their attention on the positive benefits of cleaning up their environment. It has also encouraged them to take pride in and show some responsibility for the area they live in.”
James Reid, who became the 1000th volunteer to participate in the Clean Glasgow campaign, said: “It has been great to be involved in this clean-up as the Garscadden Burn has become a target for litter louts. It is really important that people start to make more of an effort to clean up the area which they live in and help to make it a pleasant place to live, work and visit. Everyone has to pull together and help make Glasgow a greater and cleaner city.”
Cllr Steven Purcell, Glasgow City Council leader said: “I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and support which the Clean Glasgow campaign has received from the people of Glasgow and I congratulate James Reid as our 1000th volunteer. Local communities have been driven to improve their area and they are to be commended for their efforts. As the 1000th volunteer steps forward to participate in the campaign, it demonstrates that we are on course towards altering the mindset of Glasgow’s residents. I hope that the efforts of these local communities will continue to go from strength to strength as the campaign progresses.”
Groups or individuals who would like to get involved in community clean up events in their area are urged to call the Clean Glasgow hotline on 0800 027 7027