Fast food team put park clean-up on the menu

Eco-conscious workers at McDonald’s branches in South Shields and Boldon are aiming to spruce up the borough by hosting a park litter pick - and have launched a call for volunteers to lend a helping hand.

The clean-up operation will be held at West Park, in Stanhope Road, South Shields, as part of the global restaurant chain’s Love Where You Live campaign.

It has seen the firm get involved in a range of initiatives, from sponsoring local football teams to supporting community schemes.

The park project is close to the heart of Adam Kemp, assistant manager of the King Street store, who completed tours of war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan during 13 years sterling service with the Household Cavalry.

After being made redundant from his post in 2014, he embarked on a new career away from the frontline at McDonald’s.

He attends the annual Armistice Day service at West Park and is eager to ensure the beauty spot is looking its best.

He hopes the litter pick - and other community efforts - can help sweep aside negative views from people who put litter problems at the door of fast food firms.

The 36-year-old dad-of-two said: “It is all part of the Love Where You Live campaign.

“Members of the public are all welcome to come along and help out.

“Obviously, there are people with negative views of McDonald’s, but hopefully events like this show we are doing our bit to help the community.

“We hold litter picks and encourage people not to litter, but unfortunately once a person leaves our store it is then out of our control what they do.

“Through events like this we are doing our best to keep the area clean.

“The Friends of West Park will be holding a big pinic the day before, so we will be coming along to get everything clean and tidy.”

The litter pick gets underway on Sunday, July 17 and is expected to last for a couple of hours.

People wishing to take part are encouraged to meet at the Sainsbury car park, near to West Park, at 10am on the day.