A south Belfast community group has swept away some stiff competition to win the Great Belfast Brush Off 2018 title.

Adelaide Alley community group cleaned up in the Belfast City Council competition which saw almost 1,000 people taking to the streets and organising clean-ups in their area between May and August this year.

Runner up prizes went to four other community-based groups: Suffolk Community Centre, Cheviot Avenue Residents, Ligoniel Healthy Living Centre and Donegall Road Youth Hostel Association. 

Councillor Kate Nicholl, Chair of the council’s People and Communities Committee, congratulated all those who took part.

She said: “It’s encouraging to see so many people going the extra mile for their community. Generating a sense of ownership and encouraging residents to take a pride in their area is important not just in terms of building communities, but also in contributing to a Brighter Belfast for all.

“One of the prime aims of the Belfast Agenda – our community development plan for Belfast- is about improving the environment of our city and each of you today is contributing to that.

“The Great Belfast Brush Off is a way of promoting the council’s own anti-litter campaign, but it’s also about rewarding the efforts of community groups in Belfast. It’s about instilling a sense of collective responsibility for helping to maintain a cleaner, greener environment for everyone to enjoy,” added the councillor.

Congratulating the group from Adelaide Alley on winning this year’s Great Belfast Brush Off title, Councillor Nicholl said: “The clean-up has already made a significant difference to the appearance of the area, and is testament to the ongoing efforts of this dedicated group.”

She told Adelaide Alley representatives, Lin and Richard Hudson that the judges had been impressed by the group’s extensive involvement with the community and their commitment to regeneration of the area with regular clean-ups in coming months and proactive engagement with other council departments. 

Prizes were sponsored by McDonalds, Tesco, Homebase, Clayton Hotel, Translink and LIDL.

For more information visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/streetcleaning