Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has awarded Neil Kerridge, otherwise known as “One bloke with a litter picker” with the Wealden Hero Award for his fantastic efforts making Wealden litter-free.
Uckfield resident Neil has made extraordinary efforts to remove litter from the roadside along the area's main roads. Initially, he started this work alone ten years ago, but by using the power of social media, he now has a small team of volunteers and works with Brighter Uckfield, Brighter Crowborough and Brighter Ashdown Forest who have joined him in his quest to make Wealden litter-free.
Neil started his work on the Uckfield bypass, then moved on to the A26, and he and his team have just cleared roadside litter on the A26 from the A27 down the whole length to Newhaven. You can spot his work by the signature green litter bags, filled and ready for collection alongside the roads. Neil has also recently expanded his work to straightening and cleaning road signs, which inspired others to do the same all over East Sussex.
Nusrat Ghani said: “Neil's drive and enthusiasm to make our roads litter-free and his relentless passion to improve the environment seems to have no boundaries. He has been going out at his own risk, picking litter alongside some of the fastest roads in East Sussex and in the process, he inspired others to do the same. Looking after our environment is one of the most important matters in Wealden and I am grateful to all the volunteers who dedicate their free time to cleaning our roads, woodlands and waterways. I urge everyone to do the right thing and dispose of their litter appropriately or take it home if unable to find a bin nearby. I will continue to work with Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council on ways to make sure that our roads and our treasured Ashdown Forest are kept clean.”
