On Monday 5th June, Neil Maitland Walker of the Spelthorne Litter Pickers was presented with the award for Environment Champion 2023 at the Spelthorne and Runnymede Volunteer Awards ceremony. The presentation took place at Royal Holloway and was made by the Mayors of Spelthorne and Runnymede.
Cheryl Wright, one of the Trustees of the Spelthorne Litter Pickers, said of Neil, “He has been litter picking all his life, making headlines when he managed a hotel in Saudi Arabia. He was recognised by the Mayor and the environment agency for clearing rubbish from a nearby beach, even making national press. He goes out in all weathers and is often the first to arrive on group picks. He is a real ‘Womble’, recycling items that he finds whenever he can.”
The Spelthorne Litter Pickers, a borough-wide group of volunteers, recently celebrated their 3rd anniversary and welcomed their 1,000th member. The group, whose mission is to make Spelthorne a cleaner, greener place, was also nominated for the team category of the Spelthorne and Runnymede Volunteer Awards 2023.
Shirley Lunn, Chair and Co-Founder of SLP, said “We have been overwhelmed by the response of the local community to the group. When we started, we thought we might manage to recruit 20 volunteers, so to reach 1,000 is just incredible!”
The group lends equipment to community groups and businesses who wish to get involved, as well as supporting Duke of Edinburgh award students to complete their volunteering activity by litter picking. They also have a close working relationship with the Neighbourhood Services team and councillors at Spelthorne Borough Council.
Neil Maitland Walker was awarded the title of Environment Champion 2023 at the Spelthorne and Runnymede Volunteer Awards ceremony on Monday 5th June. Neil, who has been litter picking all his life, was recognised for his efforts by the Mayors of Spelthorne and Runnymede. The Spelthorne Litter Pickers, a borough-wide group of volunteers, has also recently celebrated their 3rd anniversary and welcomed their 1,000th member. Chair and Co-Founder, Shirley Lunn, said “We have been overwhelmed by the response of the local community to the group.” The group is supported by the Neighbourhood Services team and councillors at Spelthorne Borough Council.
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