Four teenage girls have been setting a great example to others by setting up a team to tackle litter picking in and around Douglas as part of their volunteering for the Duke of Edinburgh award.
The girls, all aged 14 chose to help Beach Buddies for their volunteering bronze medal and have been collecting litter all over the town with equipment donated by the charity. Their clean-up events have been co-ordinated by one of the girl’s’ mothers Amanda Cafearo.
“We really like what Beach Buddies does and this was a good opportunity to get involved, “It’s actually really good fun” said Geneva.
“We have genuinely enjoyed doing this and lots of people – complete strangers – have said some very kind remarks.” said Halle.
The girls all attend Ballakermeen High School and get together as a team each week to clean up parks, footpaths and pavements, using litterpickers, gloves and hand gel provided by Beach Buddies, tackling areas around Douglas town centre, Douglas outskirts and Millennium Oak Wood.
“We have really enjoyed doing this,” said Tara.
Zara added. “I never realised that finding litter would be so enjoyable. “It makes you feel good, it’s been a really nice thing to do, I never thought it would be so enjoyable.”
The team are working towards 26 hours of volunteering to gain their bronze medal and the majority go on afterwards to complete their silver and gold awards.
“These girls are setting a fantastic example to everyone. “You can see that they have genuinely enjoyed doing this and that taking part has actually made them think much more about the environment and wildlife and how we can all do something together to make things better.” Beach Buddies Founder Bill Dale.
Beach Buddies has hosted hundreds of teenagers for their Duke of Edinburgh awards since the charity was created in 2006 and welcomes anyone wishing to get involved. The charity is also keen to help set up groups of volunteers across the Island to clean up their favourite places.
