Muslim Scouts group leads community litter pick

Shariqua Ahmed
BBC News, Peterborough
Shama Akhtar Adults and children in hi-vis jackets hold bin bags and litter picking tools. They are all smiling at the camera. There's a banner behind them that says "Go 5th Pbro Central".Shama Akhtar
The Scouts group hoped to raise awareness in the community about littering

About 100 people joined a local Muslim Scouts group for a community litter pick, to clean up a city hotspot.

The 5th Peterborough Central Scouts, which puts on activities for children within an Islamic setting, were accompanied by parents and volunteers from Peterborough Litter Wombles and the city council.

On Saturday they managed to collect 20 bags of rubbish along Gladstone Street in Millfield.

Scout leader Shama Akhtar said the event was "very successful" and made the children "reflect about our community responsibilities".

Shama Akhtar A man wearing a blue jacket and jeans holding a litter picker, with small children litter picking alongside a woman in a head scarf. In the background are other volunteers and terraced housing.Shama Akhtar
More than 40 young children were accompanied by their parents on the litter pick

Children between the ages of four and 14 took part, as they worked to achieve their Community Impact badge.

"It's about teaching them to be good, responsible citizen," she said.

Ms Akhtar said the event hoped to raise awareness and encourage people to take pride in their surroundings.

She said: "Prophet Muhammad said remove harmful things from the roads of the Muslims, and litter picking is a great example.

"The activity was based on the Islamic teaching of cleanliness, responsibility and looking after your environment.

"As we went along, people from the street started to join in – some people donated money for our group instead."

She said a local imam also took part and it became "a lovely community event".

"I grew up in Gladstone Street as well - and to see the impact we had made to an area close to us was special."

The participants also held a cake bake sale at the end of the litter pick and raised about £490 for the Scouts.

Shama Akhter Participants all wearing hi-vis jackets standing in a row, with bags of litter in front.Shama Akhter
The 5th Peterborough Central Scouts relies on volunteers and has urged more people to join

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