About 40 members of the White Rose Canoe Club cleared a stretch of the Aire & Calder Navigation, in Leeds, on 1 June, as part of the Big Paddle Clean-up.
The volunteers filled 30 sacks of junk from the water at the flagship event and were treated to food and refreshments from ERDINGER Alkoholfrei.
The group started at Old Mill Lane and paddled upstream to the Royal Armouries and Leeds Dock, litter picking along the way.
They then floated back towards the meet point.
Dean Jordan, from White Rose Canoe Club, said:
“We try and keep it clean as much as possible to stop the litter getting out to sea where it would break down into micro plastics.
“People need to dispose of litter properly, the wind just scatters it [into waterways]. There’s also rubbish from new build houses along the river.
“There was loads of plastic litter, traffic cones, railings, footballs, parts of refrigeration units, out there today.
“It’s nice to be able to remove it to protect our blue spaces.”
Chantelle Grundy, Chantelle Grundy, Paddle UK's Access and Environment Lead, said:
“Dean and his team of volunteers have been amazing. Their work has been invaluable.
“They epitomise the spirit of the Big Paddle Clean-up showing how much they care about the environment.
“This sends a message out to all politicians. We want clean waterways and action to be taken quickly.”
![Dean Jordan presented with a Clear Access, Clear Waters award](https://paddleuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240601_101313-1024x768.jpg)
Pete Gowans, ERDINGER Country Manager, joined the team on the water. He said:
“When you see the whole community coming out it’s such a simple job for us.
“[Providing refreshments] is a nice reward for a club putting in their own time in to making sure the waters are clean.
“There was an incredible amount of rubbish. I must have get the prize for collecting the most tennis balls!”
The Big Paddle Cleanup, as part of the Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign, is taking place until 9 June.
Hundreds of people have been taking part and we would like to thank everyone for their pictures and for logging their clean-ups.
Use this toolkit for MP letters and press releases (there are also logos and posters you can use) >>
Help spread the word and join in the action.
Don't forget to use our hashtag #BigPaddleCleanup
Tag @paddleuk in your social media posts too so we can see your cleanups.