Deep Clean 2012
Sponsored by
Volunteers needed to help ‘Deep Clean’ Thames foreshore on
lowest tides of 2012
9th and 10th March – West London
11th and 13st March – West London
Hundreds of volunteers are set to give the River Thames a Deep Clean to mark the lowest daytime tides of 2012, led by Thames21, London’s leading waterways charity. The events will be sponsored by M&G Investments.
Volunteers are needed to take advantage of this brief annual opportunity to clean and green the vast expanses of river that are normally covered by regular tides. The first two events will take place in West London on March 9 and 10, while East London and the Isle of Dogs – one of the worst affected areas for plastic bag litter, will be the focus of the second two events on March 11 and 13.
Chris Coode Thames21 senior programme manager said: “With your help, the Deep Clean has been one of our biggest success stories. Mass volunteer efforts are without doubt the best way to tackle this amount of litter, and it is also the perfect chance for young and old to see the river up close in a fun and safe setting. Come and join us, and make a real difference to your environment, or just enjoy the Thames from a different angle.”
Thames21 volunteers have removed more than 300,000 plastic bags that collect in the mud on the river bend at the Isle of Dogs since 2001, helping to transform the foreshore from a dense carpet of plastic bag litter, making use of these low tides to tackle waste far from the water’s edge. In last year’s Deep Clean, over 300 volunteers freed the river of over 9 tonnes of litter.
Plastic litter is not only an eyesore, which blights people’s enjoyment of the River Thames as a great natural resource, but it permanently endangers wildlife, both in the Thames estuary and when washed out to sea. As many know, plastic never completely decomposes, but breaks down into smaller and more easily digestible pieces, causing great problems for all types of river and marine wildlife.
Thames21 will provide all equipment, support and guidance necessary to help several hundred volunteers make a practical improvement to London’s environment. Those taking part will also get the rare chance to get onto the foreshore at low tide, meet like-minded people and get a new perspective on London’s waterways.
Individuals and small groups do not need to register but those coming in a group of more than 10 and those wanting more information are kindly requested to contact Alice Hall: alice.hall@thames21.org.uk/ 07824 692 592
Event details:
Friday March 9
Battersea Bridge
Meet at south side of Battersea Bridge,
just off Battersea Bridge road
SW11 3BZ
8.45 – 12pm
Saturday March 10
Queen Caroline Draw Dock
Meet on the Thames Path at
end of Queen Caroline Street,
Hammersmith
W6 9BX
10am – 1pm
Sunday March 11
Newcastle Drawdock
Meet on Glenaffric Avenue, Isle of Dogs,
E14 3BW
9.00am – 11.30am
Tuesday March 13
Poplar Rowing Club
Ferry street, Cubitt town, Isle of Dogs
E14 3FA
10:00am – 12.30pm
Quotes for press use:
Jim Fitzpatrick, MP for Poplar, Limehouse:
“The Isle of Dogs has long been a collection point for plastic litter, and Thames21’s clean-up events at the site have made a huge difference to the problem. The Deep Clean is the perfect opportunity for local residents to join them on foreshore and make a real and lasting difference our area, and to the River Thames.”
Richard Miles, Director of Corporate Communications, M&G Investments:
“M&G Investments is delighted to be supporting the annual Deep Clean on the Thames foreshore again this year and to support the work of Thames21 in highlighting the importance of caring for the environment.”
Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith:
“The Thames is a wonderful asset and has long been enjoyed by the people of Hammersmith, but it is also our responsibility to look after it – I urge as many people as possible to get out there and join Thames21 for this year’s Deep Clean.”
John Tagholm, London writer, producer director and Thames21 volunteer:
“The protection of the River Thames has always been incredibly important to me, both professionally and personally. I first started my career on the Thames at Puddle Dock near Blackfriars Bridge (which made way for the Mermaid Theatre) and the river is now the subject of my latest novel. I have attended about 6 clean-ups with Thames21 and have loved every single one. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who wants to take part in a well-organised practical event that really makes a difference.”
Notes to editors:
- Thames21 is an environmental charity (registered number 1103997) working to bring London’s waterways to life. Each year, with the help of around 9,000 volunteers, Thames21 works to improve the capitals rivers, tributaries and canal networks with a wide variety of programmes and activities www.thames21.org.uk www.twitter.com/thames21 www.facebook.com/thames21
- The Deep Clean is an annual mass clean up event, now in its 4th year. www.thames21.org.uk/deepclean
- M&G launched the UK’s first mutual fund in 1931 and has continued this history of innovation ever since
M&G offers investors a wide range of funds across equities, bonds, property and multi asset. www.mandg.co.uk