The launch of this year’s Big Donegal Clean-Up took place at the Community Park in Convoy this week.
Cllr Jack Murray, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, joined members of Convoy Community Environmental Committee, John Curran from the Donegal Volunteer Centre, pupils and teachers from Convoy Joint National School and Scoil Bhríde Convoy and Michael McGarvey Director of Service, Donegal County Council and Environment staff from Donegal County Council.
He said “I am delighted to launch the Big Donegal Clean – Up campaign for 2022 and it’s great to see the campaign back again. This is the sixth year of the Big Donegal Clean-Up and each year it has grown more and more popular.
“This year hundreds of volunteers from right across the county will once again take to the highways and byways to gather litter and get the county looking clean and green for all to enjoy.”
“It is a real partnership between Donegal County Council and the hundreds of communities around the county who come together to lift litter and clean their own areas. We are fortunate to have such active communities and people who care so much about their own area. The willingness shown by the people of Donegal to come out and help make Donegal a clean and green place to live, work and visit.”
“I am delighted that we were joined by members of the Convoy Community Environmental Committee and the Donegal Volunteer Centre today. Convoy like hundreds of groups around the county put in a huge effort each year. Convoy had two clean-up days over the last two weekends with 60 volunteers coming out to lend a hand collecting three skip loads worth of litter, they did a fantastic job.” said the Cathaoirleach.
Comharlaigh of Donegal County Council, Colr Jack Murray with Convoy Schoolchildren Molly Bates and Brian Anderson at the launch of the Big Donegal Clean Up campaign. (NW Newspix)
As part of this year’s campaign the Donegal Volunteer Centre have come on board and they will publicise details of planned clean-ups on the website www.volunteerdonegal.ie
This is a great addition to help community groups promote their campaigns and gain some additional volunteers.
John Curran from Donegal Volunteer Centre stated that “Community Clean-ups are a great example of volunteers giving time for the greater good. They help communities shine and be at their best. We in the volunteer centre are delighted to support the groups across Donegal and to introduce new volunteers to the team”.
Michael McGarvey Director of Service with Donegal County Council said “I am delighted that the Big Donegal Clean-Up is back, and this year is shaping up to be another successful year. We already have over 60 groups signed up for the An Taisce National Spring Clean. Over the past two years many people spent time in their local environment and carried out many clean-ups when they were out and about. The Council supported over 900 of these in both 2020 and 2021.”
Get involved
This campaign sees the Council supporting individuals, groups, businesses and organisations in arranging their own clean-ups. The Council provides bags, gloves and litter pickers while also taking care of the collection of rubbish once it has been bagged.
The Council is also planning to promote clean-ups on its social media pages and plan to have clean–up event pages for different areas.
You can share your photos via the following sites:
Twitter @DonegalCouncil
Instagram @donegalcountycouncil
You can also join the clean- up event page on Facebook for your local area to share information and images.
To sign up for this year’s Big Donegal Clean-Up call 074 91 53900, call to your local Council office or visit www.donegalcoco.ie .
You can also register with An Taisce’s National Spring Clean campaign by calling (01) 4002219 or online at www.nationalspringclean.org, the following groups and schools have planned clean-ups over the coming weeks;
Culdaff Tidy Towns – 2nd April
Killaghtee Primary School – Dunkineely – 7th April
Ballybofey & Stranorlar Tidy Towns 8th & 9th April
Rathdonnell NS – 9th April
Newtowncunningham Tidy Towns – 9th April
Clean Coasts Group Buncrana – 9th April
8th Donegal Scouts – Carndonagh – 10th April
Neily McDaid – Letterkenny – 20th April
Scoil Colmcille – Carrigart – week of 25th April
Kerrykeel National School – 26th April
Scoil Phadraig Dobhar – Bunbeg – 27th April
Scoil Naomh Brid – Downings – 29th April
