Whilst we are all living through difficult times, it is especially uplifting to hear positive news about how local people have risen to the occasion to help their communities through volunteering.

August 2020 a Kingswood resident put a message out on Facebook for helpers to clear the litter up. During the pandemic, this has been a serious local problem.

From this, an amazing number of volunteers have come forward, collecting litter, rubbish, and fly-tipping in the north of the borough. To date, they have filled over 1,000 purple bags and cleared a vast amount of litter, and volunteers are out every day.

The group is called Tadworth Kingswood Walton Burgh Heath Litter Pickers, and they also cover Preston, Tattenham Lower Kingswood, and Mogador. They are very active on Facebook and Twitter and have had an article in Surrey Mirror recently.

Not only are the volunteers clearing the rubbish, but the group has also brought local various communities together, including people of all ages, men, women, and children. Volunteers are being kept active whilst at the same time improving their local environment.

This is a great example of community volunteering and I commend all the organisers and volunteers that have worked so hard to make this exceptional initiative such a success.

You can find out more about the group at : https://www.facebook.com/groups/2701052563543422/