GL events UK seeks to adopt strong relationships and understanding of the issues that our charity partners face in accordance with our social value programme for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
One such partner is the Canal & River Trust. This organisation is responsible for the maintenance of over 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, and as part of their mission to improve mental and physical health in local communities, they promote wellbeing through being beside watercourses.
Yet, faced with an abundance of litter destroying these waterways and surrounding environments, and contributing to the prevelant climate crisis, Canal & River Trust have established a number of initiatives to help. One of these is their Plastic Challenge, which involves litter-picking along canals and rivers in some of the most populated regions in the UK to decrease levels of water pollution. Committed to supporting these solutions, GL events UK is taking part in a number of volunteer days in the coming weeks including tree planting, graffiti removal and lock clean-ups.
On 17th February, various GL events UK personnel took part in the first of several volunteer days that are scheduled with the Canal & River Trust this year. Positioned at the Wednesbury Old Canal, staff members collected over one hundred bags of litter from the area for onward separation and recycling.
The Canal and River Trust remarked, “If everyone took their litter home with them, and picked up just one piece of plastic each time they visited, our canals and rivers could be litter free within a year.” This statement emphasises the impact and importance of volunteer days such as this and highlights why GL events UK is proud to support the Canal and River Trust in their environmental endeavours, as they aim to create healthier environments both nationally and here in the West Midlands.
”The work of Canal and River Trust is very much aligned with the Social Value Objectives of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Rachel BakerUK Group Marketing Manager & CSR Lead - GL events UK
GL events UK’s CSR Lead, Rachel Baker who took part in our initial volunteer day commented, “The work of Canal and River Trust is very much aligned with the Social Value Objectives of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – not only is this work making sustainable improvements to natural habitats across the country, but it is providing much needed spaces for people in local communities to look after their physical and mental wellbeing. During the early lockdowns of 2020, it became apparent that those people without green spaces on their doorstep, were really left with nowhere to go in their local community to get some headspace. This work is changing this and opening up the outdoors, without people having to go too far from their local community. We are also glad to be able to give our teams the chance to spend some time away from their day jobs in this way, giving something back to the community.”
With further volunteer days scheduled, be sure to stay tuned for further updates on this exciting partnership. And for more information about the incredible work of the Canal & River Trust, be sure to check out their website.
