Footy team kicks off community litter clear-up
CARING kids and coaches from a youth football club teamed up with a group of Rotarians to kick litter into touch.
Around 20 lads and two coaches from Renfrew Victoria Boys Club were joined by members of The Rotary Club of Renfrew, as well as Renfrew South and Gallowhill councillor Cathy McEwan, as they rolled up their sleeves to stage a clean-up of land near high-rise flats in Paisley.
The litter pick-up was organised by Rotarian Peter O’Keefe – who owns two McDonald’s franchises at Braehead and one in Renfrew Road, Paisley – in a bid to improve an eyesore site in the Gallowhill area of town.
The gang filled 42 bags with garbage, including cans, bottles and household waste, from the area around Montgomery Road.
Mr O’Keefe told the Paisley Daily Express: “It went very well and there were also mums and dads who have kids in the football team there to help out.
“John Stuart, Rotary President, and fellow Rotarian Charlie Doyle also came along and so did Donna McKay, who manages my Braehead drive-through and takes care of our environmental projects.
“Nine staff from my three stores got their sleeves rolled up and played their part.
“We collected 42 bags of garbage, such as bottles and cans, plastic bags, pieces of wire, polystyrene, some food, household rubbish and other debris.”
Councillor McEwan added: “Everyone who contributed should be congratulated for the time and effort they spent picking up litter.
“They worked hard against the elements as it was a particularly windy day and they did not stop until the work was completed. I was proud to work alongside them.”
Around 40 people armed themselves with litter pickers and wore high-visibility bibs as they took part in the Keep Scotland Beautiful National Spring Clean campaign.
Mr O’Keefe added: “We all know that litter is unsightly and causes a damaging effect on our environment. Litter picks are a chance for local people to give their community a sense of civic pride.
“I feel it’s important that my colleagues and I do our bit to stop litter blighting the area and help to restore those places in need of a spring clean.
“I would like to thank everyone from Renfrew Vics and my staff for all their help. If we all contribute to tackling the problem, then litter can be reduced in our community.”
Donna Hegarty, of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said projects such as the clean-up in Gallowhill can make a huge difference to local communities.
She added: “Our thanks go to all of the McDonald’s staff who have already committed to picking up some litter this spring as they return their local area to a litter-free zone.
“There are still a large number of unclaimed open spaces and we’d encourage everyone to consider helping out and making this year’s National Spring Clean the greatest ever.
“Don’t leave it for someone else – grab a litter picker and join in.”
