Rising Sun Country Park's Big Spring Clean up

Rising Sun

North Tyneside Council, local businesses, park staff, volunteers and a new Friends group have joined forces to launch a Big Spring Clean at Rising Sun Country Park during March, with the aim of clearing as much litter as possible to help restore the park’s beauty for the local community.

Employees from Asda Benton, McDonalds and EE Mobile as well as local volunteers have already collected more than 100 bags of rubbish from the footpaths, bridleways and the nature reserve in the park - and there is still more to do.

Cllr John Stirling, North Tyneside Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “It’s great to see the community coming together with local businesses to make a positive impact on the environment.

“We have so many lovely areas and parks across the borough and it’s important we maintain these areas so they can be enjoyed by residents, families and also local wildlife.”

More litter picks are planned during March because it is an optimum time to clear litter, before the hedgerows come into leaf. The initiative will make the park more enjoyable for the local community while also protecting wildlife.

Graeme Sample, Grounds Manager at Rising Sun Country Park who coordinated the litter picking, said: “Today we deployed a green army of volunteers who have made a massive difference to the park. We want to involve as many local people as we can, to inspire people to do their bit for the park and to be responsible for their own litter.”

Chris Wright, Business Development Manager at McDonalds, Benton said: “We want to make sure we are respecting our environment by taking responsibility and getting involved to give something back to the local community.”

Mel Foster, Community Champion, Asda Benton said: "It's been great working collaboratively with local businesses today in the park, but we would urge people to dispose of their rubbish in the appropriate bins. Let's all work together to make the park a better and cleaner place."

If you are interested in getting involved with the new Friends of Rising Sun Country Park group or you can spare a few hours to help out with litter picking please email risingsun@northtyneside.gov.uk.

ENDS