Major financial corporation helps clean
River Thames for fourth year

At low tide, up to 60 volunteers from Mellon Financial Corporation will join forces with environmental charity Thames21 for the fourth year running to clean up litter from the River Thames foreshore in central London on Monday July 17th.

Mellon's employees will swap their spreadsheets for litter pickers as they get set to clear harmful and unsightly litter like shopping trolleys, plastic bags, food wrappers and cans from the river foreshore between Blackfriars Bridge and London Bridge.

Mellon said, "This is the fourth year that the company has supported Thames21's work to clean and green the River Thames. It is part of our commitment to the local community where we work. Our international headquarters is located very close to the Thames and we have seen first-hand that keeping the foreshores free of litter brings huge benefits to everyone that lives, visits and works by this magnificent river.' Thames21's River Programmes Manager Chris Coode said 'The commitment of businesses like Mellon to Thames21's clean up work is vital to improving the health of this incredible river corridor and wildlife superhighway running through the heart of the capital.'

Thames21 formed ten years ago in response to the lack of statutory duty on any organisation to clear litter from rivers and canals. It began working with communities and businesses to clean up the River Thames and now works on a range of projects across London's 400-mile network of rivers and canals.

Photo Call details:
Date: Monday July 17th
Clean up location: Queenhithe (off Upper Thames Street EC4R - see map below)
Time: Kitted up and on the foreshore by 12pm

For press and photograph enquiries please contact Leigh at Thames21 on 07875 250 284 / 020 7213 0166

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 include Adopt-A-River and CanalKeeper Volunteers. Thames21's mission is to create clean, safe and sustainable waterside environments for all. Visit www.thames21.org.uk

Mellon Financial Corporation is a global financial services company. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Mellon is one of the world's leading providers of financial services for institutions, corporations and high net worth individuals, providing asset management, private wealth management, asset servicing, and payment solutions and investor services. Mellon has approximately $4.9 trillion in assets under management, administration or custody, including $808 billion under management. . Mellon employs more than 1,400 in Mellon Financial Centre, its international headquarters building next to Blackfriars Bridge. News and other information about Mellon is available at www.mellon.com