Countryside Custodians clean up in Lisburn for Spring
A leading County Antrim environmental group has celebrated a major milestone, with the Countryside Custodians collecting their 20,400th bag of litter during a large-scale volunteer clean-up as part of Live Here Love Here’s Big Spring Clean campaign.
The milestone event, which took place on Saturday April 11, brought together local residents, community groups and young people across Ballyclare, Doagh and Lisburn, showcasing the power of community action in tackling litter and protecting local environments.
A total of 106 bags of litter were collected across all locations during the clean-up events, contributing to the group’s overall milestone.
Founded in 2019 by Katherine McAdam, the Countryside Custodians have grown into one of Northern Ireland’s largest volunteer-led environmental groups, now boasting over 1,500 members. Their work spans far beyond litter picking, including conservation projects, education initiatives and community support programmes.
The group has also made a wider social impact across County Antrim, distributing more than 400 gifts over the past two years to residents in local nursing homes through its annual “Pass the Parcel” re-gifting campaign - supporting those who might not otherwise receive a present at Christmas.
The group has also supported a number of local charities. Now in its fourth year, the initiative supports a different local charity annually, with visitors invited to pick flowers in exchange for donations.
Lynda Surgenor, Manager at Live Here Love Here, said: “Reaching this milestone is a fantastic achievement for the Countryside Custodians and a powerful example of what Big Spring Clean is all about.
"Now in its 16th year, the campaign brings together thousands of volunteers right across Northern Ireland – from individuals and families to schools, businesses and community groups – all taking simple, practical action to improve the places they live.
“The dedication shown by the Countryside Custodians has not only helped tackle litter locally, but has also inspired others to get involved, take pride in their communities and play a part in protecting our environment for future generations.”
Katherine McAdam, Founder of Countryside Custodians, said: “Reaching 20,400 bags of litter collected is an incredible milestone for our group and a real testament to the dedication of our volunteers. What started as a small local effort has grown into a community of people who genuinely care about the places they live.”