Local company to help spruce up canal

Up to 30 volunteers from GlaxoSmithKline will join forces with environmental charity Thames21 to clean up the Grand Union Canal in Hounslow, West London on Thursday 20th July.

The volunteers from GlaxoSmithKline's headquarters in Brentford will cut back brambles and remove overhanging branches making access to the towpath much easier for everyone using the canal. Volunteers will also clear litter and remove graffiti where necessary from bridges and walls.

GSK said, 'This is the third year that we have worked with Thames21 in Hounslow to improve the canal by keeping litter and graffiti at bay. We have seen first hand how this stretch of canal has undergone a transformation in recent years and GSK is pleased to have been part of this positive change.'

Thames21's Canal Programmes Manager Theo Thomas said, 'Litter and graffiti looks bad and drives people away from the canal because it looks like no one cares about the environment and can even feel threatening. GSK has played an important role in enabling Thames21 to improve this stretch of canal and tackle grot-spots quickly.'

Event Details
Date / Time: Thursday 20 July
Time: 3pm - 5:30pm
Location: Grand Union Canal, Hounslow

Ends
Media enquiries - Leigh McAlea at Thames21 020 7213 0166 / 07875 250 284

Notes to Editors:
Thames21 is an environmental charity working to clean and green London's waterways. The charity aims to transform the way Londoner's treat their rivers and canals. Projects across the canal network includes Thames21's established Canalkeeper Volunteer scheme. To find out more visit www.thames21.org.uk

GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. www.gsk.com