Douglas Borough Council is, once again, taking the lead in helping rid the island of litter by organising this year’s Big Tidy Up all-Island Challenge. Taking place on Friday September 30 and Saturday October 1, and sponsored by Alliance and Leicester International, the challenge builds on the success of last year’s campaign when a total of 2.167 tonnes of litter was collected, of which 750kg was recycled. In a move to involve communities Island-wide the Council has contacted every local authority inviting them to participate with, to date, Castletown, Maughold and Patrick agreeing to join the campaign, which last year attracted vigorous support from volunteer groups, charitable organisations, businesses, private individuals and an exceptionally strong showing from schools. As the campaign’s lead body the Council will provide practical support in the form of protective tabards, litter picks, gloves, brushes and bags. It will also collect all litter gathered and bagged in the Borough of Douglas. Alliance and Leicester International’s community affairs manager George Campbell said: ‘Alliance and Leicester International takes its corporate social responsibility and active citizenship roles very seriously. We’re therefore pleased to be supporting the Council’s endeavours in its Island-wide call to action to tackle the litter that blights our towns and villages. As one of Douglas’s leading businesses we are keen to play our part in keeping the capital clean and green and would urge other companies to join with us and make a stand against litter and demonstrate that, like Alliance and Leicester International they, too, care about the quality of their environment.’ Council Leader Councillor David Christian JP said: ‘Response last year was extremely encouraging. Clearly the campaign captured the public mood, as we hope it will this year when once again it will be supported by Council Members, officers and staff. ‘We are encouraged that DLEQ (District Local Environmental Quality) surveys indicate that in many categories Douglas is equal to or above national standards, but we can ill-afford to be complacent so are urging people to contact us about any litter “hotspots” they have identified. ‘Our cleansing teams are to be applauded for their efforts. However, given these difficult financial times local authorities have only limited resources with which to combat litter, so we welcome this annual opportunity for people to come together and help make a very real difference to the environment in which they live and work. The Big Tidy Up all-Island Challenge not only makes for a cleaner and greener Isle of Man but also is a practical demonstration of the “Big Society” agenda which aims to encourage local action and give communities the power to transform aspects of their lives.’ A typical Big Tidy Up session will last in the region of two hours. Participating groups will receive certificates recognising their support at a reception later this year hosted by the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Ritchie McNicholl, JP. For all Big Tidy Up enquiries and to submit details of potential litter hotspots for targeting contact pmacken@douglas.gov.im. ENDS