Paul Ellison becomes Keep Britain Tidy #LitterHeroes Ambassador

Paul Ellison during the Great British Spring Clean

Paul Ellison, an active member of Norden’s community, has been made an ambassador for national environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Paul, who chairs local groups such as The Friends of Norden Jubilee Park, NEEVA (Norden’s Environmental and Economic Village Association), has been dedicated to improving the village, having organised litter picks and other cleaning and tidying events over the years.

Now a LitterHeroes Ambassador, Paul will have access to even more resources to help groups throughout Rochdale keep the borough as clean as can be.

LitterHeroes Ambassadors work within the local community to inspire and encourage people to take action by getting involved in litter picking events throughout the year, as well as annual campaigns such as the Great British Spring Clean and Love Parks Week.

In addition, Paul’s new role will enable him to utilise resources from the council, give guidance and work with various community groups, whilst promoting the importance of tidying our streets, parks and neighbourhoods.

He said: “This has been in the pipeline for quite some time, so I’m thrilled to be able to say I have been chosen as a LitterHeroes Ambassador with Keep Britain Tidy.

“It is no secret that I love Norden, I have been able to do a lot over the years to keep our village looking lovely with the help of so many brilliant volunteers, but this role will enable me to help even more people keep not just Norden but the Rochdale borough clean and tidy. Littering is never acceptable: we can keep picking it up, but there is no excuse for dropping it in the first place.

“Keep Britain Tidy is funded by the Postcode Lottery and, following an ambassadors meeting in Birmingham in June, I look forward to knowing what resources will be available to our local community groups.”

Paul has previously been recognised locally for his hard work and dedication to improving Norden, in particular his time spent cleaning and tidying, fundraising and setting up groups and events.

He received his first recognition at the age of 12, where the current countryside ranger at the time, Stuart Brown, awarded him a Certificate of Commendation for various projects in the countryside, and he was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation in 2017 by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale.