Teenagers praised for litter-picking efforts

Ballakermeen pupils team up with Beach Buddies

Four teenage girls from Douglas are being praised for their efforts to tackle litter as part of their Duke of Edinburgh volunteering award.

All aged 14 and pupils at Ballakermeen High School, the group chose to support Beach Buddies for their bronze award, and have been regularly collecting litter across the town using equipment donated by the charity. 

Their clean-up sessions are co-ordinated by one of the girls’ mothers, Amanda Cafearo.

The group meets each week to target areas around Douglas town centre, the outskirts, and Millennium Oak Wood, using litter pickers, gloves and hand gel provided by Beach Buddies. 

They say the experience has been both enjoyable and rewarding, describing it as fun with positive feedback from members of the public.

“We really like what Beach Buddies does and this was a good opportunity to get involved,” says Geneva. 

Halle adds: “It’s actually really good fun.” Tara said she never expected litter picking to be so enjoyable, while Zara said it makes you feel good and has been a positive experience overall.

The team is working towards completing 26 hours of volunteering to achieve their bronze medal, with many participants typically going on to complete silver and gold awards.

Beach Buddies founder Bill Dale says the girls are “setting a fantastic example,” adding that their involvement shows a growing awareness of environmental responsibility and the importance of community action.

Beach Buddies has supported hundreds of young people through Duke of Edinburgh volunteering since its creation in 2006, and continues to welcome new volunteers, as well as encouraging the formation of community groups to help keep local areas clean.