VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!

Cleaner Thames Challenge 2008
18-21 September | location: Isle of Dogs

Environmental charity Thames21 will deliver the third Cleaner Thames Challenge this year from 18 – 21 September and is appealing for Londoners to come forward and volunteer to help improve the River Thames.

Following highly successful events in the previous two years, we once again challenge Londoners to help remove some of the litter that affects the Isle of Dogs – a site practically in the shadow of Canary Wharf and one of the most badly affected areas of London.

From this area alone, Thames21 and volunteers have cleared at least 30,000 plastic carrier bags clogging up the foreshore over the past year but there is still much to do to improve this site. Over 300 volunteers attended the four day clean-up in 2007, and we’re hoping that even more will come forward and help out this year.

Those volunteering will get the chance to give something back to London’s environment, have the rare chance to get onto the foreshore, meet like-minded people and get a new perspective on London’s waterways.

Volunteers are welcome to attend at any of the times listed below and will be provided with all equipment and guidance during the sessions.

Thursday 18 September | 9.00am - 12.00pm
Friday 19 September | 9.30am - 12.30pm
Saturday 20 September | 10.00am - 1.00pm
Sunday 21 September | 10.30am - 1.30pm

Location
Meeting point is: Newcastle Draw Dock, off Saunders Ness Road, E14.
Nearest tube: Island Gardens (DLR)

Interested in taking part?
Register your interest using one of the following:

• online form HERE
• email cleanerthameschallenge@thames21.org.uk
• phone 020 7248 7171

Thames21 will provide all equipment including boots, health & safety briefing and support, rubbish bags and litter collection. Volunteers should wear old clothes appropriate to the weather. An adult must accompany people under the age of 16. Bottled water and toilets will be onsite.

Please note registration for this event is not essential, but helpful in giving us approximate figures before each clean-up. Posters are also available for this event, please contact us if you are able to display any in your local area.

[Ends]

Media enquiries, images and interviews: please contact James Aldous on 020 7213 0166 or 07827 352675 or james.aldous@thames21.org.uk  

Notes to Editors:

• Thames21 is an environmental charity working to bring London’s waterways to life.  Dirty rivers and canals reduce the quality of life for all, harm and kill wildlife, damage the environment and drive people away from vital open spaces.  London’s rivers and canals are precious natural resources providing green spaces for urban communities and habitats for wildlife.  Each year, with the help of around 4,000 volunteers, Thames21 removes over 1,000 tonnes of harmful litter from the River Thames, its tributaries and the canal network.  www.thames21.org.uk
• This event is part of the Big Tidy Up – for more information see www.thebigtidyup.org

• Thames21 is supported by, and works closely with, the Port of London Authority, Thames Water, Environment Agency, Corporation of London, Encams and British Waterways.

Cycle Parking
If you are travelling by bike, there is cycle parking outside the Greenwich Foot Tunnel in Island Gardens. There are also racks on Manchester Road by the Police Station.
Car Parking
Ideally, leave the car at home and travel by public transport or bike! If this is not possible, and you need to bring a vehicle, be aware that the area is a Controlled Parking Zone. The clean up is located in Parking Zone D with restrictions in place Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm. Pay and display are available (£2 per hour). To find out more visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk.