Volunteers needed in North West for Keep Britain Tidy's litter-picking initiative

As litter pollution continues to challenge the environment, Keep Britain Tidy has launched a drive to recruit more litter-picking volunteers across the North West.

The charity is encouraging passionate individuals to join its Litter Heroes Ambassador programme, which aims to combat litter pollution within local communities.

New research from Keep Britain Tidy shows that nine out of ten areas in the UK are affected by rubbish, prompting the call for additional support.

Helen Bingham from the charity said they need more Litter Heroes Ambassadors to help improve local environments:

"There's a big issue everywhere. Our last survey of litter in this country, which is a national survey, showed that nine out of every 10 places in the country is littered, whether that's the local communities, parks or beaches."

Currently, there are 22 Ambassadors in the region, with an aim to increase this number.

Through activities like the Great British Spring Clean, volunteers have already collected an estimated half a million bags of rubbish over the past year.

Keep Britain Tidy was established by the Women’s Institute in 1954 and seeks volunteers across Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Merseyside.

Volunteers are encouraged to use the 'Log A Pick' system to record data and help build a national picture of litter and volunteer efforts.

The charity’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, highlighted the importance of Ambassadors who inspire hundreds and act as champions for cleaner environments.

Supporting the recruitment drive are current ambassadors like Paul Ellison from Rochdale and James Coates from Everton Litter Network, who emphasise the pride and community benefits of litter-picking.

Becoming an Ambassador offers benefits such as access to online resources, training, free equipment, and invitations to events and conferences.

The programme is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

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