Model pupils keeping their school clean

Sarah McGovern, model and ambassador of An Taisce’s National Spring Clean campaign, came to Gaelscoil an Choillín in Cullion last Friday to kick off the annual event, which runs through April each year.

Sarah was joined by the cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Johnnie Penrose, and members of the Mullingar Tidy Towns, as well as pupils from the school.

The council is encouraging community groups from all over Westmeath to register for this year’s campaign and organise clean-ups in their areas. The National Spring Clean campaign is Ireland’s largest anti-litter initiative and there are more than half a million clean-ups in April every year.

County Westmeath has always supported the initiative, which is now in its 15th year.

Cllr Penrose said: “We are delighted to have Sarah here today to help us to put a spring in our step and kick start our National Spring Clean Campaign.

“We have been delighted to see the numbers of community groups, schools, sports and youth clubs from around the county take part in this campaign each year and we would love to see a surge in the numbers of volunteers this year.

“I am especially glad to be here to join the teachers and girls and boys from Gaelscoil an Choillín, who have been working hard on the theme of bruscar agus dramhaíl or litter and waste for their first Green Flag.”

All volunteers registering for the National Spring Clean campaign receive free clean up kits which contain information, posters, colour coded refuse sacks for segregation of waste materials, protective gloves and tabards to keep participants clean.

Register at www.nationalspringclean.org or call 01 4002219.