120 local volunteers give river rubbish the red card

Over 120 volunteers teamed up with Thames21, Palace Riverside Safer Neighbourhood Team and Fulham Football Club to kick litter out of the River Thames at Craven Cottage on Sunday 20 May.

The volunteers removed an amazing four tonnes of litter including long-standing eyesores like scaffolding, metal, girders and a mountain of bikes. Other items included clothes, plastic bottles, cans, plastic bags, the arm of an African statue and a Frisbee.

Matthew Loveday, River Programmes Coordinator said, 'The fantastic volunteer turn out meant that we were able to make a real difference to this stretch of foreshore, which has very high levels of litter. Clean ups with local volunteers improve the health of the Thames by reducing litter benefiting everyone who lives, works or visits the river.'

Simon Morgan, Head of Fulham Football Club's Community Sports Trust, said: "Craven Cottage has been the home of Fulham Football Club for over 100 years and its unique setting, on the banks of the River Thames, has provided some wonderful moments in the Club's illustrious history. I am delighted that Fulham Football Club is able to work closely with members of its community by supporting the Thames 21 river clean-up and help make a worthy contribution to the local environment."

Thames21, Fulham Football Club and the Palace Riverside Safer Neighbourhood Team will be organising another clean up later this year to continue improving the health of this historic stretch of river.

For more information or photographs contact Leigh McAlea by email or 020 7213 0166