A Raploch woman is pleading with people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly.
Gill Christie was inspired to tidy up her own community after coming across a group of volunteer litter pickers.
She was so impressed by their efforts that she now regularly helps them out, calling them “unsung heroes”.
“I moved to Stirling permanently in February this year,” said Gill.
“One day I was walking along a periphery fence line behind the fire station. I saw a young man with a litter picker and bag, in pouring rain and wind. I asked him whether the council provided the equipment.
“He said that he bought the litter picker but that he had an arrangement with Stirling Council, who provided bags, that they collected what he picked from strategic points.
“He collected 13 bags of litter that day.”
The man told Gill that he and his friends were runners and that every time they ran their routes they saw litter and started to act by regularly picking stretches around the Raploch and St Ninians.
“I was so impressed by this,” said Gill, “that I joined them and now regularly pick and keep an eye on the litter situation in the wonderful local play park near the fire station and the dual carriageway.
“We understand that the council cannot keep every nook and cranny of Stirling regularly litter free.
“We are not the only ones doing this. There are quiet, humble people who are acting and collecting litter while on a walk, or with the dog or just because they feel better after clearing an area.
“Please - anyone who thinks it doesn’t matter throwing your litter on the ground - it really does.
“Animals and birds and dogs can be injured by broken glass and cans. Livestock chew on plastic bags blowing in the wind and then land in their fields. Cigarette butts can be put into the ashtrays at the top of litter bins.
Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.
“There is no excuse whatsoever for littering, other than being unthinking and uncaring. All the environment is your home as much as it is everyone elses, plus the wildlife we live amongst.
“And what a beautiful area we live in, why on earth would anyone want to ruin it?
“Please take your litter home or dispose of it in the many litter bins and facilities which Stirling Council have provided throughout Stirlingshire.”
