A GROUP of enthusiastic Barrow junior school pupils took great pride in cleaning up their community as they got involved in the Evening Mail's Big Clean campaign for 2016.

The year four pupils at St Paul's C of E Junior School, in Hawcoat Lane, Barrow, decided that they wanted to clean up the area around their school and St Paul's churchyard for their Big Clean as they have been working closely with The Archbishop of York's Youth Trust programme. The scheme concentrates on teaching children how to become better neighbours and do more for their community.

Gemma Wright, year four teacher, said: "I feel that the Big Clean has been a very good way to demonstrate to the pupils how they can do something for their community. 

"The school councillors Brooke Shore and Lynden Warriner agreed with me, they think it is a great thing for children to get more involved in helping the local community."

The children also really enjoyed their Big Clean and were able to have fun as they worked, Mrs Wright said: "The children reported back to me that they found a jacket , a T-shirt and a ring among the various items of litter that they had collected, which really surprised them.

"The pupils could see how this action contributed to the archbishop's award that they are currently working on. This award encourages pupils to  'be the change they want to see in the world' which has had a very positive impact on the children."

The youngsters had a beautiful sunny day for their clean and were happy to be out in the fresh air, making a visible positive change for the area they see every day.

Please contact gabrielle.rowley@nwemail.co.uk if you wish to get involved with the Evening Mail's Big Clean and make a difference to an area you love.

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