Members of Charlestown Foroige with model and National Spring Clean ambassador Sarah McGovern at the launch of Clean Up Mayo Day, which takes place this Saturday, April 30. Photo: Swinford Photography

This Saturday is Clean Up Mayo Day

MAYO County Council welcomed model and National Spring Clean ambassador Sarah McGovern to launch Clean Up Mayo Day at an event hosted by Charlestown Foroige Club in St. Joseph’s Community College.

Clean Up Mayo Day is an initiative of the environment office of Mayo County Council, which will take place on Saturday, April 30, to coincide with Mayo Day.

Communities throughout Mayo are encouraged to give Mayo a really good spring clean on that day by holding litter clean up events in their areas.

Now in its 18th year, the National Spring Clean campaign is Ireland's largest anti-litter initiative and each year throughout April, over half a million people take part in over 5,000 clean-ups across the country.

Sarah McGovern, who has been involved with the National Spring Clean for 16 years, visited Mayo to officially launch Clean Up Mayo Day. The members of Charlestown Foroige Club welcomed Sarah to the town and outlined in detail their litter awareness activities over the last number of years which helped the community of Charlestown win Mayo County Council’s Litter Action League in 2015.

Sharon Cameron, environment awareness officer of Mayo County Council, spoke at the launch and encouraged participation in Clean Up Mayo Day.

She said: “Each spring communities throughout Mayo make a real effort to clean up their towns, villages and roadsides by participating in National Spring Clean. This year we are asking that a particular effort be made on Clean Up Mayo Day - April 30.

It would be great to join in the Mayo Day celebrations by giving the county a special Spring Clean.”

Councillor Gerry Murray spoke of the problems that litter causes to both our tourist industry and to our wildlife in the county. He also commended Charlestown Foroige and the wider community for their great litter action.

To register for Clean Up Mayo Day, email cleanupmayoday@mayococo.ie or telephone the environment office of Mayo County Council on (094) 9024444. Litter clean up supplies will be issued to those who register.

Those holding clean up events on April 30 are also asked to register with National Spring Clean on www.nationalspringclean.org.