Youth-led litter-pick helps clean up Storrington

In just two hours the young people litter-picked the area around Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Storrington pond, the Storrington library car park, the village Mill Pond and various footpaths, verges and pavements.

They also helped raise nearly £100 for Roots CIC through a market stall selling hand-made outdoor gifts using locally-sourced materials, and cakes donated by Carita’s Cake Design, a professional wedding and celebration cake designer based in Billingshurst.

The community litter-picking event was created, planned and managed by young people, who also ran the market stall.

Equipment for the litter-pick was loaned to the group by Horsham District Council.

Roots CIC was set up by Forest School leader, therapist and author Cathy Wallace, artist and tree surgeon Stephen Cross, and their young people.

It will offer bushcraft, Forest School, tree-climbing and other outdoor activities to help connect people of all ages with nature, and build community through events and celebrations.