Clean-up planned for River Spey
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A huge effort is being made next month to tidy up the River Spey.
The call has gone out for people to join in with the Single Spey River Clean over the weekend of October 3 and 4.
The river clean will involve people along the full length of the River Spey taking part in a synchronised effort to remove rubbish from the riverbanks.
Organiser Tom Rawson said: "We want to harness the power of social media to gather people together and make the sort of changes that are needed.
"We are all part of the problem, but we can also be part of the solution as well.
"Most people realise it's not acceptable to throw you rubbish off a bridge.
"But it's also not acceptable to throw on the ground in the middle of town where it can get washed into the gutters."
Tom went to school in Moray and has a soft spot for the Spey.
He hopes to repeat the success of the Great Borders River Clean where he lives now.
Its last clean-up saw 453 volunteers remove two tonnes of rubbish from 30 communities along the River Tweed and its major tributaries.
Tom said: "I will personally be running riverbank cleans at Aberlour, Kingussie, Aviemore, and Grantown.
"I also count myself extremely fortunate to have a team of dedicated volunteer leaders at locations from Newtonmore to Spey Bay.
"However, I would like to involve more groups in more towns and villages along the river.
"We would all love for more individuals to take part."
The event on the Spey is supported by the marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage.
Its aim is to tackle the main river on October 3 and 4, before repeating it in the Spring and expanding it to the Spey’s five tributaries – the Dulnain, Avon, Tromie, Feshie and Einich.
Lend your support by emailing trawson@stmarysmelrose.org.uk if you, your family or your community group would like to take part.
Read the latest news from Moray here
