Media release

Volunteers to help clean city parks & reserves

July 2, 2008

World Youth Day (WYD) pilgrims from Canada, the United States, Argentina and India will volunteer their time in North Shore City next Thursday (July 10) before crossing the ditch to Sydney where the WYD event is to be held.

More than 500 pilgrims, who are being hosted in Auckland by members of the Catholic Church, will spend time weeding and cleaning gravestones at O'Neills Cemetery, weeding the Onepoto Domain and helping with the Kaipatiki Project's restoration of Eskdale Reserve.

WYD Co-ordinator for Auckland, Jo van Kempen, said pilgrims wanted to make a positive contribution to communities they were being hosted in.

Around 2000 pilgrims were being hosted throughout Auckland between July 7 and 13. The pilgrims are participating in a four day event called Days in the Diocese with one day aside for social service work, she said.

"This event is being seen as part of a Legacy Programme for World Youth Day and is something that will positively impact our community for many years to come," said Mrs van Kempen.

The clean-up work will begin at 10am and conclude at 1pm.

North Shore City Community Services & Parks Committee Chairman, Councillor Tony Holman, said the voluntary work was greatly appreciated.

"This is a wonderful gesture and we thank the pilgrims and those who have organised this day for the meaningful contribution they will be making to North Shore's environment," said Councillor Holman.

"Volunteers provide a special and selfless gift in every community, but like all cities we can never have enough so I'm hopeful that the example these pilgrims are setting will inspire others to think about offering their time toward community enhancement projects."

People interested to learn more about voluntary work on the North Shore, and particularly in parks and reserves, can phone council's Actionline on 486 8600 or visit their local library and Citizens Advice Bureau.

-ENDS-

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