Residents and local businesses have joined forces to give Wichelstowe a clean-up while raising around £600 for Prospect Hospice.
Around 35 people took part in a community litter pick, last Thursday, organised by Wroughton and Wichelstowe Parish Council, filling 36 large black bags with rubbish.
The volunteers met outside Waitrose at 9.30am before heading out across Wichelstowe to tackle litter in the local area.
Among those taking part were staff from FirstPort, Southby & Co Financial Planning and the Wichelstowe Joint Venture Team, who joined residents in giving up their time to improve the area.
Waitrose also supported the event by providing free bottles of water and energy bars for the volunteers.
There was an added incentive for the clean-up, with Southby & Co, FirstPort and Wichelstowe LLP each donating £5 for every bag of rubbish collected.
The donations helped push the total raised for Wroughton-based Prospect Hospice to around £600.
Cllr John Hewer, Chair of Wroughton and Wichelstowe Parish Council, thanked everyone who took part.
“It was great to see so many people come together to help keep the local area clean, tidy and welcoming, and to raise funds for the Prospect Hospice,” he said.
Dave Southby, of Southby & Co, said the company was pleased to support the local community and charities working in the area.
“It’s always a great pleasure to support and give back to our local community and vital local charities who do such important work in the parish,” he said.
Emma Leake, from Wichelstowe LLP, said it was particularly encouraging to see so many people volunteer despite the hot weather.
“It was fantastic to see so many people give up a couple of hours of their time on an incredibly hot day to help keep Wichelstowe clean and tidy,” she said.
“We’re already looking forward to the next one.”
The litter pick provided a practical way for residents and businesses to work together, leaving Wichelstowe looking tidier while raising money for a local charity at the same time.
