Big Spring Clean effort from Enagh Youth Forum

Live Here Love Here joined forces with Enagh Youth Forum, Derry City and Strabane District Council and Mayor Hilary McClintock at the end of March to carry out a BIG Spring Clean of Enagh Lough.

A local area for angling and walking, Enagh Lough is an area of natural beauty, with vivid wildlife including red squirrels and Pipistrelle bats. However, the group collected six bags of rubbish in just one area of the Lough, with empty bottles, cans and plastic scattered across the area.

Enagh Youth Forum (EYF), are a community based youth group in Strathfoyle who work with young people aged 10-25 promoting economic, social and environmental well-being.

The group work tirelessly to support young people to connect, look after and learn about the natural and built environment and were also awarded the Derry and Strabane Litter Heroes Award at the Live Here Love Here Community Awards last month.

Enagh Youth Forum participated in the clean up as part of Live Here Love Here’s BIG Spring Clean along with hundreds of other groups, schools and individuals throughout Northern Ireland.

Commenting after the event, Eamonn O’Donnell Youth Support Worker at Enagh Youth Forum said, “Enagh Youth Forum was delighted to carry out a big spring clean-up of Enagh Lough.

“The young people really enjoyed it! It’s important for young people to connect with their local environment and to take responsibility in helping looking after it so it can be enjoyed by them and future generations.

“Removing litter also helps protect the vast local wildlife.

“The Enagh Lough Big Spring Clean was a great success and fun too. Thank you to Live Here Love Here for all the work they do in helping to care for the local environment.”

Jodie McAneaney, Live Here Love Here Manager added, “This is the first year we have launched the BIG Spring Clean Roadshow Week and we are absolutely delighted with the enthusiasm shown by the local communities.

“Street cleansing costs £43 million each year but we can all play a part in reducing that figure by not dropping litter. We hope our BIG Spring Clean volunteers will inspire others to do their bit to ensure we live in a clean, safe and beautiful environment.”

For more information or to register an event for the BIG Spring Clean 2017 visit www.liveherelovehere.org or contact Live Here Love Here on 028 9073 6920.