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Olympians’ London litter plea
Published: Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:09:43
London is bidding to become the cleanest city on earth in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games. And today two British stars from Olympic past and future are urging Londoners to join them in the Capital Clean-up campaign.
Exciting Beijing medal hope Jessica Ennis and Olympic gold winner Sally Gunnell will wear vests bearing the slogan “London Needs You!” They are urging residents to get the city in tip-top condition for 2012 and beyond.
Clean-up events will take place the length and breadth of the city over the next 100 days. Residents and organisations are asked to sign up – to help rid streets of rubbish, litter and graffiti.
The initiative is backed by London local authorities and organisations including the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.
Today (Monday) Jessica and Sally were launching the campaign and joining Thames 21 volunteers cleaning up the foreshore on the banks of the Thames.
Jessica, 22, is one of the nation’s hopes for Olympic glory in the heptathlon in China this summer. She also has ambitions to strike gold in London 2012.
She said: “London attracts around 27 million visitors each year and cleanliness of streets is one of the first things people notice when they go to a new place. Londoners are very proud of their city and we want them to play their part in making the capital the cleanest city on earth.”
Sally, who won gold in the 400m hurdles in Barcelona 1992 said: “The eyes of the world will be on us during the Olympic Games and it’s up to each of us to get the city looking the best it can. We want people to sign up to community clean-up events taking place in their area in preparation for 2012.
“But this isn’t just about getting the city clean for visitors; we want all residents to live in surroundings which are free from litter.”
Joe Tavernier, chair of Capital Standards said: “We want to push the grime out of London and sell the capital to the world. By taking part in clean-up events, residents and organisations are showing pride in their city. We want to raise the standards for 2012 and make real improvements in communities in all boroughs across the capital.”
The 100-day-clean-up will take place each spring between now and 2012. To find out about events in your area and get involved visit www.capitalstandards.com/cleanup
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