'Unsung hero' tidying Cumbria's Penrith one piece of litter at a time

Every fortnight, Tony, a two-time recipient of the Unsung Hero of Penrith award, dedicates a day off to walk around the town picking up litter, all in a bid to make the area more appealing.

“I started going on my own, walking my dog around Castle Park, and I saw how littered the area was,”  Tony said.

With equipment sourced from his workplace, Kier Transportation where he helps maintain the M6 and A66, he began picking up litter as part of his walk.

His efforts eventually connected him with the group Wombling Free Eden, which is filled with 'like-minded people'.

Together, they have helped clean up the Eden area, tackling litter not just in Penrith but also in places like Appleby and Lazonby.

“I take pride in where I’m from. It’s a lovely little town and I want to try and keep it this way," Tony said. 

"I’m happy putting something back and making the place look a little nicer for the residents and tourists.

“One of the most expensive things you can give is time, at my job, I’m four days on and four days off – I’m happy to do it.

"If I get a beep from a car, a wave or a thank you, it’s lovely but the main reason is to make the place look better," he said. 

In his most recent effort, Tony, along with his mother-in-law Sylvia Dirom, walked five miles and collected 13 bags of rubbish along the way.

With around 25 core members in the Wombling Free Eden group, Tony encourages more residents to join their efforts.

“I want to get half a dozen people and we could get one for every estate in Penrith," he said. 

In addition to receiving support from the Penrith Town Council, Tony has been joined by local scouts, junior schools, and those on the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. 

“Litter breeds litter. If folk see litter they are more likely to litter, but I hope if its clean, people are less likely to throw litter in the first place," Tony said. 

Anyone interested in joining Tony can find out more via the Wombling Free Eden Facebook page.