Valiant volunteers to clean and green the Thames

Thames 21 River Programmes Manager Chris Coode said, 'We are delighted to welcome volunteers, both old and new, from GOL, DCLG and MITIE to support our river clean up work. Their involvement in our practical hands-on work to deliver cleaner rivers to the capital is a great example of how all sections of the community can make a positive difference to the ecology and health of the River Thames.'

Minister for London Jim Fitzpatrick MP said, 'Although the river Thames is today one of the cleanest city rivers in Europe, at least 1,000 tonnes of rubbish is removed from the tidal Thames every year, and the charity warns that much more litter is washed out to sea with devastating effects on marine life.'

Mr Fitzpatrick said, 'We all rely on each other for a decent quality of life. To volunteer means that you're showing consideration for others, you're showing consideration for the place that we live in and for people to volunteer is a clear commitment and a demonstration that they care about their own environment, about this great capital city and about other people.'

MITIE Sustainability Manager Zoë Haseman stated, 'The event last year was a tremendous success. It gave staff the opportunity to get involved in sustainability on a practical level, making a positive contribution to London's community, its environment and helping to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability locally, as well as globally. We hope to continue this good work each year and by increasing the number of volunteers, increase the scale of the benefit.'

This event will take place during London Sustainability Weeks, which started on 4 June, incorporating World Environment Day on 5 June and runs for a fortnight. It's the capital's biggest celebration of community action for a cleaner, greener and healthier London. More than 300 events are being held, which will show how we can each make a difference to London's future.

For press enquiries contact:
Christine Phillips at GNN London on 020 7261 8529
Tracey Lee at DTI on 020 7215 5964 (for bids for the Minister only)
Charlotte Morgan at DCLG on 020 7944 6274
Melanie Devlin at MITIE on 0141 613 7834
Leigh McAlea at Thames21 on 07875 250 284

NOTES TO EDITORS

Government Office for London (GOL)
GOL is one of a network of nine government offices in each of the english regions. GOL represents central Government across the Capital, delivering the policies and programmes of ten central Government Departments. GOL's aim is to make London a better place: healthier, safer, cleaner and greener, investing in children and economic development. GOL also represents London's interests within the Government.

Department for Communities and Local Government
Number 10 Downing Street announced the creation of a new Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on 5th May 2006, under Ruth Kelly's leadership.

DCLG has a powerful new remit to promote community cohesion and equality, as well as responsibility for housing, urban regeneration, planning and local government. It unites the communities and Civil Renewal functions previously undertaken by the Home Office, with responsibility for regeneration, neighbourhood renewal and local government (previously held by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister).

The new department brings together responsibility for equality policy, including policy on race, faith, gender and sexual orientation. These functions were previously split between several government departments. The Women and Equality Unit moves to DCLG from DTI . The Race, Cohesion and Faiths Directorate moves to DCLG from the Home Office. DCLG will also be the sponsor department for the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR).

MITIE
MITIE is one of the UK's leading providers of facilities management services, maintaining, managing and improving buildings and infrastructures for a diverse range of public and private sector clients thoughout the UK.

MITIE is committed to promoting sustainability and is proud of its proactive approach to increasing awareness of sustainability issues as well as the sustainability initiatives the company continually strives to develop nad implement both for itself and its clients.

MITIE provides a complete range of FM services to the four London HQ properties of DCLG and GOL under an Integrated Facilities Management contract.

Thames21
Thames21 is an environmental charity working with communities to improve and maintain London's rivers and canals. Thames21 mobilise thousands of volunteers every year to clean up waterside grot-spots, remove graffiti and create new habitats for wildlife. Innovative community inclusion and education projects like Adopt-A-River/Canal and CanalKeeper Volunteers. Thames21's mission is to create clean, safe and sustainable waterside environments for all. There is no statutory duty on any organisation to remove litter from rivers and canals. www.thames21.org.uk