Cleaning Naden Brook of plastic pollution

A group of six best friends from Rochdale, Manchester and Preston aiming to swim the English Channel in 2021 have recently cleaned part of Naden Brook and the Rochdale canal.

The 606 Polish Swimming Squadron – engineer Bart Kuka, 34 sports massage therapist Dariusz Wietecha, 45, hairdresser Kinga Strzyzewska, 37, and HGV driver Jarosław Poneta, 36, all of Rochdale, postlady Malgorzata Makarewicz, 35, from Manchester, and Maciej Jarno 36, a health club duty manager and Royal Life Saving Society trainer assessor from Preston – cleared Naden Brook of rubbish on Sunday 9 June, and Rochdale canal the week prior.

Eight large bin bags of rubbish, tyres and plastic waste were cleared during the group’s mission.

Dariusz said: “Talking about the littering of lakes, rivers and oceans isn’t enough. Every one of us has seen the reports of littered beaches, pictures of animals imprisoned in rubbish. We have to start today; all of us should have their own mini mission of picking up litter when on a walk, using less plastic if possible, and especially educating all of our children how important caring for the Earth is.

 

 

“Unfortunately, not everyone leaves this interesting and precious place [Naden Brook] in its natural state. There is a large mass of mostly plastic waste and cans along with old tyres floating across the river.

“We have decided to act upon it and collect as much river rubbish as possible. We are encouraging others whose hearts lay within the good of our environment and cleanliness of oceans to do similar actions. We would like to thank the people taking part in tidying and promoting this idea to others.”

To support their objectives, the 606 Polish Swimming Squadron has decided to swim across the English Channel in 2021, despite not all of them being able to swim, to bring attention to plastic pollution and the urgent need to reduce our usage and save the planet.

 

 

The group is also fundraising to cover costs of the event, with additional funds being donated to their Wipe Out Ninjas movement and the #PlasticPatrol Community Interest Company.

Wipe Out Ninjas is part of the 606 Polish Swimming Squadron’s project to encourage everyone to clean up our environment.

Dariuz added: “Our operation is dedicated to cleaning our waters out of plastic waste which later ends up in the ocean where it kills animals along with the natural surroundings.

“We want to show that it is easy and everyone can start it anywhere and everywhere – just pick up that plastic bottle you see on a side or any other rubbish and dispose of it in the nearest bin. In every area that we clean, we will leave a Wipe Out Ninja sign, perhaps a sticker, just to spread the idea.

“We plan to educate and encourage children to do so and giving up stickers to them should help. We are going to offer Wipe Out Ninja t-shirts for anyone else who would like to join the movement.”

To donate, pease visit:

• www.gofundme.com/swim-the-channel-for-plastic-free-planet