VOLUNTARY group Litter Networks has become the first recipient of Warrington Worldwide’s Legacy Project with a £500 donation towards their ongoing work in the community.
The Litter Networks started in September 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and now reach out across the town involving more than 1,500 volunteers.
The networks were started by volunteers Paul Connor and James Coates who have been presented with a £500 donation to help them continue to grow the litter networks and make a positive ongoing difference in the local community.
They jointly developed the “Litter Network” concept, and co-founded the Litter Networks organisation, which simply connects and empowers local communities to pick up litter.
The first Litter Network was launched in Lymm in 2020 and the concept has rapidly spread to with various networks across Warrington.
James said: “On behalf of myself and Paul as the co-founders of Litter Networks, it gives us great pleasure and satisfaction to be the first recipients of the WW LEGACY PROJECT AWARD and we will directly share this joy with the true community champions who have been out litter picking through out all of our Litter Networks pan Warrington. Over the last 12 months in wind, rain, snow & shine they have been expertly collecting litter whilst also collecting conversations with others about not dropping litter in the first place. A big huge thank you to Warrington Worldwide. We very much look forward to working with you more and moreover the coming years to transform Warrington with support from local residents and anchor institutions into a safe and clean plan to live, work & visit!”
Paul added: “Key to each Litter Network is an emphasis on empowering, motivating and bringing together the community to solve environmental problems themselves. A fundamental and priceless part of this is the ideas, camaraderie and selfless drive of the volunteers themselves. Many are solo and family pickers who communicate via our Litter Network Facebook Groups. Some people run formal and informal Litter Picking groups who also use each Litter Network to publicise their events, find out where their members report problems that might need a group effort, and recruiting new members. This funding will help all those fantastic people to not only have the kit they need, but also seed-fund some of the fantastic community project ideas that spring up all the time. With ideas ranging from alley clean-ups and wildflower planting to information boards and novel equipment purchases, we are confident that this award will be put to very good use!”
You can find out more about Litter Networks, including finding your local Litter Network and contacting Paul and James, at litternetworks.org!
Meanwhile, to be considered for a Legacy Project grant simply email [email protected] titling your email Legacy Project Application and in less than 500 words describe your project and how a grant will help.
Also include a supporting photograph of your organisation if possible.
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