GORDON HENDERSON MP

22nd August 2011
MP pleased to see community groups setting an example

A number of individuals and community groups signed up to Gordon Henderson’s Big Clean-Up campaign last week with five projects taking place in Sittingbourne and Sheppey.

The five projects included:

1. A litter pick at New Road Community Centre, Minster
2. Julian Austin of Julian Austin Photography, Sittingbourne, sweeping up and placing potted plants outside his premises.
3. Swale CVS planting a flower bed outside their volunteer centre in Central Avenue, Sittingbourne.
4. Community Payback clearing an alleyway in Rushenden, Isle of Sheppey.
5. Queenborough Parish Council organising a litter pick and cleaning the town with two freighters supplied by Swale Borough Council.

The Big Clean-Up, taking place during August 2011 in Sittingbourne and Sheppey, is a campaign set up by Mr Henderson in partnership with local charity Litter Angels and Keep Britain Tidy’s Love Where You Live campaign. The aim is for individuals and local groups to commit to at least one clean-up project.

Trish Codrington, Clerk to Minster-on-Sea Parish Council, speaking about the New Road Community Centre litter pick, said,

“It was great to see so much enthusiasm and the area certainly looks a lot better because of everyone’s 'hands on' approach. Gordon’s idea has really set the wheels in motion and prompted us into thinking about how we can all do our bit to help improve our surroundings.”

Mr Henderson added,

“It is fantastic that more and more individuals and community groups want to take part in the Big Clean-Up campaign and take pride in their area. I would like to thank them all for their support.

“Many community groups and businesses tell me that they clean outside their premises on a regular basis, however, the campaign can still highlight that to set an example to others who perhaps have yet to make the effort.”

To find out more information about the Big Clean-Up, the projects scheduled to take place during August or to see photos of the projects, please visit the Big Clean-Up website on: www.gordonhendersonmp.org.uk/cleanupss.