Operation Catford Clean-up UCKG Members join forces with Bromley Council to revamp local parks
Released: 11.12.06

 

November 11 saw the teaming up of UCKG members in South London for the Bromley Community Clean-up.

Committed members of all ages from the UCKGs in Catford, Peckham and Brixton braved the winter cold and rain for a twofold cause. Youth Group members from North London branches also spared some time to make an impact in Bromley’s parks.

The sponsored event helped raise funds for the refurbishment of Catford’s UCKG HelpCentre, which opened earlier this year but is still in need of major repairs. Secondly, the event was a collaboration between the UCKG and Bromley Council to create clean and pleasurable parks for local families and residents.

Nearly 100 volunteers met up in St Mary Cray to perform a make-over of Newham and Bromley’s parks.

From 10am that Saturday they removed graffiti from walls, collected and binned litter, swept the streets and brought back character to worn out walls and benches with a touch of paint.

Park gates and rails were revamped with emulsion, out-of-control bushes were given a trim and a chop and even graveyards were cleared out!

Marilyn Wickee (responsible for Landscape, Environment and Leisure for the London Borough of Bromley) commented on the work done by volunteers of the UCKG: “The London Borough of Bromley and the residents of St Mary Cray were very privileged to have the volunteers from the UCKG come and do a clean-up day in their parks, in preparation to set up a ‘Friends Group’ for the parks there. It’s a wonderful gift to us especially coming from a community-based charity with volunteers from different areas.”

UCKG members equipped with litter pickers, shovels, brooms and graffiti removal kits quickly changed the face of St Mary Cray's parks with a new and improved, cleaner and fresher look and feel.

Residents passing by were pleased to see the group making such an effort. “I take my dog out for a walk every day,” one resident commented, “and sometimes she steps on glass from broken bottles and hurts herself. It’s inconsiderate for people to litter the way they do. I admire what you’re doing and I’m happy to see things looking different!”

Assistant Pastor Raphael Martins, who helped organise the event, commented on the teamwork of the assistants and members: “It was great to see so many people from different UCKG branches, coming together for one purpose: to make a difference in this community.”

The event has helped to raise hundreds of pounds towards the renovations in Catford. To learn more about this or to make a donation, call the 24-hr Helpline on 020 7686 6000.

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If you require any further information regarding the UCKG, please submit your enquiry or telephone Francessca Lewis on 0207 686 6033.