Facelift collects 50 tonnes of rubbish in less than a year

The community-based, volunteer organisation Navan Facelift has set its sights on winning national recognition in the 2011 National Tidy Towns Competition. The group founded local man Paddy Pryle has lifted over 50 tonnes of rubbish throughout the town despite the fact that it was set up less than a year ago. People from all walks of life have given a couple of hours of their time on a weekly basis in order to improve the town for everyone. The group has also received sponsorship from a number of businesses and has received recognition from Navan Town Council. The group’s PRO, Cllr Peadar Tóibín, said the work of Navan Facelift will intensify again in the coming months. “All volunteers who wish to join the project are asked to meet at the NTW/CYWS building on the Fair Green, Navan, at 10.30am each Wednesday, Thursday or Friday morning. Alternatively, volunteers should contact Peter Boland on (087) 267 5472 or check out the Navan Facelift Facebook page. Next year, we aim to lift Navan up to the awards section of the competition. We should not let a lack of resources stop us from being a proud community,” he said. He added: “The work carried out by Navan Facelift is an example of Meath people’s 'can do’ attitude. Many volunteers have turned the negative economic situation they find themselves into a positive movement. This level of volunteerism is not the solution to all our problems but is a significant and positive development in the town. I would like to see the Facelift campaign spread out to all areas in Meath. We wish to thank everybody involved for their contributions to this project,” he added.