A group of passionate teenagers are angry and ashamed at the amount litter there is across their city.
Wanting to make a difference, they arranged a litter pick at Leazes Park in Newcastle to spread awareness across their community about the importance of looking after the environment.
Jasmine Black, 16, of High Heaton, feels strongly about protecting the environment and is outraged people don't put their rubbish in the bin.
She said: “The bin is right there, it won’t kill you to put it in the bin.
"It’s a simply, basic thing and it’s just utter incompetence and laziness.
“Our work will make the park cleaner for the community as well as helping to save wildlife as litter can kill them.
"It is not fair that they have to suffer from our wrong doing.”
As part of the National Citizen Service (NCS) 4 week programme, the group created their own social action project, The Plastic Pickers.
After taking part in a litter pick at Walker Park , the group recognised the impact that littering has, from spoiling the appearance of public places to putting wildlife and young children in danger.
So they decided to arrange their own litter pick to help encourage people in the community to get involved and to highlight the importance of putting rubbish in the bin.
Reece Gordon, 16, is passionate about getting the message across to others in the community and believes that everyone should be taking responsibility.
He said: “It’s nice to see the youth take action towards it, as it is our and every person in our community’s duty to take responsibility for looking after environment.
“Hopefully it will inspire people to second think about their actions instead of throwing litter on the floor, to hold it to take it to the bin or to get people to come together, like us, and clean up in their local area."
As part of organising the littler pick the youngsters arranged two bake sales and a quiz night to help fundraise £82 to help buy equipment.
However, Newcastle City Council kindly provided the group with supplies so the youngsters decided to donate the money raised to Friends of Leazes Park, an organisation who help maintain the park.
The group hope that their work inspire people in community to start to look after their environment.
