An appeal for litter picking equipment has been made by local MS Natasha Asghar after a Newport charity had its kit stolen recently.
Pride in Pill, a fantastic volunteer group which does fantastic work in the city including regular litter picks, had £5,000 worth of equipment taken by mindless thieves.
Natasha Asghar MS is appealing for anyone in a position to help to donate items to help get the charity back on its feet.
The South Wales East politician raised the issue in the Welsh Parliament this week with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca Davies MS.
She told the chamber: “There are some fantastic community groups across Wales made up of dedicated volunteers who go above and beyond in keeping our towns, villages, and cities clean.
“In Newport, we are fortunate enough to have the amazing Pride in Pill team, who not only embark on litter picks around the city but do so much more great community work.
“However, Cabinet Secretary, sadly the group’s equipment – worth around £5,000 – was recently stolen after their shed lock-up was broken into.
“Pride in Pill is appealing for donations to help get them up and running. I am doing what I can to support them, but is there anything the Welsh Government can do to support them at this very difficult time?”
The Deputy First Minister responded by joining Natasha in paying tribute to the work community groups like Pride in Pill carry out and supported the appeal for donations.
Huw Irranca-Davies said: “It is so disappointing that a daft, stupid, petty incident of theft now has meant that that equipment is not available, and I'm sure Keep Wales Tidy will want to help get that up and running again as soon as possible. But, look, if there is an appeal out there for support, I would echo that. People in Wales are very, very generous, particularly when it's to do with tidying up their own communities. So, let's see if we can get that group back on their feet. And let's also support all those other groups who are out, particularly at this time of year, around their communities, cleaning up their river banks, their local paths, and so on. They do such good work.”
Commenting afterwards, Natasha Asghar MS said:
“Pride in Pill carries out fantastic work in our city and it is devastating to see their efforts put back because of the actions of mindless thieves.
“We all want to see the charity up and running again as soon as possible and that’s why I am playing my small part in helping the amazing volunteers get back on their feet.
“Some of the stolen items include litter picking equipment, wheelbarrows, garden tools, first aid kits, gloves, safety shoes, water urns, and water bottles.
“If anyone has spare items they’d like to donate to Pride in Pill, they can drop them off at my constituency office in Newport. Please call 01633 215138 to arrange a drop-off time.”
