Volunteers from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Manchester, came out onto the streets on 30 March 2024 to clean up and rejuvenate the local neighbourhood.
The volunteers filled more than 20 bags containing various items of litter, significantly improving the surrounding environment.
The initiative was part of the Great British Spring Clean, the nation’s largest mass-action environmental campaign in which thousands of individuals, groups and schools come together around the country to participate.
The annual event is organised by Keep Britain Tidy, a leading independent environmental charity that works to inspire, educate and enable everyone in the country to value the environment on their doorstep. Keep Britain Tidy is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
The volunteers were joined by local councillors Dan Costello and Mohammed Shamsul Karim, who were impressed by the volunteers’ drive to help the local neighbourhood. Cllr Costello said, “It was my pleasure to support the litter pick organised by the Mandir. Keeping the local area tidy has always been a passion of mine, and I am delighted to see community groups being proactive on this issue. Well done to the team at the Mandir for organising such a good event and thank you to the many volunteers who turned up to do their bit to keep Ashton Hurst tidy.”
Cllr Mohammed Karim, ward councillor, added, “A big thank you to all the volunteers at BAPS Swaminarayan Temple for organising the litter pick. It was a pleasure to be with you and support you. It's great to see so many young children take part. Well done all.”
Mayur Patel, a lead community outreach volunteer at the Mandir, reiterated His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj’s message of respect and care for the environment and serving the local community as part of our social responsibility. He also congratulated Keep Britain Tidy for its tremendous work over the past 70 years and affirmed BAPS’s support for their community projects in the future.