Posted on 14/03/2017
Students from Royal Holloway, University of London have been joining volunteers nationwide for the Great British Spring Clean, as well as taking part in the Big Spring Clean, which Royal Holloway has now been running for more than a decade.
From community litter picks to painting and tidying the local area, Royal Holloway's volunteers have been pitching in across Surrey. "Everybody got to see what great support we get from Royal Holloway,” said Pete Deane, local resident and community litter pick organiser.
Schools, Scouts and more
Community Action took part in litter picks across the county, painted the Englefield Green Scout hut, as well as taking part in a tidy up at Manorcroft Primary School, Englefield Green Infant School and Christchurch Church of England Infant School. Volunteers also took part in events on the Royal Holloway campus, holding a "Love Your Campus" litter pick.
“It has been fantastic to see students helping to clean up their local community. With litter picking, painting Scout huts and tidying schools we managed to spruce up the surrounding areas and make a positive contribution to our wonderful borough,” said Community Action's Volunteer Coordinator Luke Russell.
A royal legacy
The Great British Spring Clean is a campaign that follows on from last year's Clean for the Queen, when 250,000 people country-wide came together for the country's largest litter pick on honour of the Queen's 90th birthday. Volunteers from Royal Holloway pulled double duty, taking part in the Great British Spring Clean in the first week of March (3-5 March), and then followed it up a week later by taking part in Royal Holloway's own Big Spring Clean from 8-10 March.
In recognition of the work Community Action have been doing in the local community over the last decade, they have this year received a nomination for the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is an annual award given to groups of volunteers who provide a service that meets the needs of the local community. Groups have to be highly respected in their local community and have been volunteering for more than three years. Community Action, which has been running for more than a decade, have been involved in many local projects, including helping with the relief effort following the local floods in Egham in 2014.
Community Action Manager Phil Simcock said, "This award is considered to be the MBE for voluntary groups, and so we are honoured to have even been put forward for something so prestigious."
Find out more about volunteering at Royal Holloway.