’09 Spring Action - Clean Up Christchurch Avon Riverbank

Is it time for spring-clean? Here it is – an outdoor clean in spring, Clean Up Avon Riverbank, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Garden City, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Fifty volunteers united to clean up the banks of Avon River on Saturday, 19^th September 2009. 110kgs (8 bags) rubbish picked up mainly contributed to cigarette butts, plastic bags and beer bottles.

“Everyone is a part of eco-friendly Christchurch. Individual and community based action is an essential step to keep Avon riverbank clean and beautiful. We aim to raise the public awareness of what the individual can do to reduce litter.” Local event co-ordinator, Ellen Yule says, “It’s the seventh year for us to clean up the same area because of the same problem of waste along the riverbank and on the footpath which end up in drains and waterways.”

The area of Avon riverbank between Bridges of Remembrance and Victoria Square that the volunteers cleaned up is rich in natural beauty, cultural heritage and tourist attractions.

The volunteers aged from 3 to 70 plus, including New Zealand-born Kiwis, migrants from Spain, China, USA, Britain and Scotland, and international students from Japan, Malaysia and USA, chose to volunteer their time and energy to keep Christchurch beautiful.

Each volunteer was rewarded with an event bookmark with a photo of Avon River. Two dozens of passes to Punting on the Avon were also generously given away as prizes. The best of all the rewards is the feeling of having made contribution to this pretty Garden City.

When: Saturday, 18 September 2010, 10:00am - 11:30am

(meet at 9:45am on Bridge of Remembrance, corners of Cashel Street & Oxford Terrace, Christchurch)

Where: Avon Riverbank, Christchurch Central City                                                   Cost: Free

Have a look at the event photos in the past seven years. You are warmly welcome to join us while you are studying or travelling in Christchurch, Aotearoa.