Hillhead litter squad are bags of help!

A bid by a Kirkintilloch mum to clean up a lane at her son’s nursery has snowballed into a fully fledged community action group.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Apr 2021, 10:41 BST
Hillhead Helping Hands litter squadHillhead Helping Hands litter squad
Hillhead Helping Hands litter squad

Local children have been at the forefront of the Hillhead Helping Hands group – being reponsible citizens by tackling the scourge of litter in their community.

Mum Alicia Shepherd who got the ball rolling, told the Herald: “It all started up accidentally. The week before the schools were due to go back full-time, I had noticed the atrocious stated of the main nursery gate and lane to Hillhead Early Years.

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"My son attends the nursery and my daughter attends the school.

"Once the schools went back I was aware all nursery traffic would be redirected along the lane to the main gate. I asked a couple of friends and parents in the school PTA if they would be willing to help me clean the lane of rubbish, glass and dog fouling.

"Many were super interested but had work commitments and I was also aware we had to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

"I contacted the nursery and they were keen to help. So a group of us and our children spent two hours clearing the lane to make it suitable and safe for everyone.”

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She added: “We had such an amazing response from the school, nursery and parents we decided to then start Hillheads Helping Hands to try to make a difference in our local community.

"We included the children to help them build a sense of responsibility and care towards their surroundings.”

East Dunbartonshire Council have also stepped in after the group’s efforts and have said they will supply a bin to be placed in the lane.

With the usual money making efforts by the PTA thwarted by the pandemic, the group have also set up a fundraising page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/hillheads-helping-hands

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Alicia said: “Our aim in general is to raise money for the school for outings, equipment, coach trips and fun days but we also wish to get the kids and community involved in keeping Hillhead clean. As restrictions ease we also want to get out and help the elderly and attend to local parks.”

The group’s latest litter pick was due to take place at Ivanhoe Drive on Tuesday, April 6.