Kind hearts and litter picks were out in force at the weekend, as part of the hugely successful Clean for The Queen campaign
Over 150,000 people participated in an enormous country-wide clean-up last weekend as part of the Clean for The Queen campaign, aimed at reducing the nation’s litter problem in time for HRH The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations in June.
The three-day long event mobilised schools, businesses and individuals up and down the country, with thousands taking to the streets with litter picks and bin bags. From the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides to Devon, Cornwall and even the Channel Islands, nearly 3000 clean ups took place across the British Isles.
So far nearly 4000 bags of rubbish have been reported, but Keep Britain Tidy, who organised the campaign in collaboration with the Garfield Weston Foundation and Country Life, estimates this is only 6.7% of the total number, and it’s possible that over 56,000 bags were filled over the weekend. Residents in the South East were the busiest, with nearly 500 registered litter picks in the region.
In addition to the countless Brownie, Scouts, parish and church groups that threw themselves into the clean-up, individuals and families were just as eager to be involved. Television presenter Kirstie Allsopp, who is an ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy, was out litter-picking with her children over the weekend. She said: ‘I know all too well from my travels around the country that there are places that could do with some TLC. I’ve urged everyone to get involved with Clean for The Queen.’
Across the political spectrum MPs have given backing to the campaign. Aldershot’s MP, Sir Gerald Howarth (above), showed his support as he joined 50 Guardsmen from 1st Battalion Scots Guards on Friday for a litter pick. Sir Gerald said ‘This excellent campaign was initiated by the Keep Britain Tidy group which was set up by the Women’s Institute in 1954. The purpose is to make our country spic and span in time for Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday next month.
‘Her Majesty has shown such commitment and dedication to her people for over 60 years that it seems the least we can do. Well done to the Scots Guards for leading the campaign in the Home of the British Army as a tribute to Her Majesty in her realm.’
The Duke of Gloucester (above) voiced his support for the campaign when he joined an event at Park Lane Primary School in Wembley. Speaking of how much his cousin, Her Majesty, would appreciate their efforts, the Duke said ‘If we can use Clean For The Queen to make people think about the damage that litter can do, it will be a very valuable exercise. I know it will give great pleasure to Her Majesty to know that her birthday has created something so wonderful which will help us to all look after our beautiful country.’
The clean-up weekend is the latest high point in a campaign that has been endorsed by high profile individuals including Joanna Lumley and Boris Johnson.
It set to continue gathering momentum right up until The Queen’s birthday celebrations in June, and it is hoped that Clean for the Queen will also leave a legacy of awareness about the need to keep our country tidy which endure for future generations.
