Hot cross buns, candyfloss and birthday cake kicks off 10th Team Limerick Clean-up!

A RECORD-breaking 23,500 volunteers are currently out and about on Limerick streets this Good Friday, despite the wet weather persisting! 

The 10th edition of Team Limerick Clean-Up (TLC) is thought to be Europe’s largest one-day tidy-up, with businesses, schools, neighbourhood groups, Tidy Towns committees and sports clubs across the county all taking part in the “milestone” event. 

89 schools from across Limerick will take part, as well as 51 sports clubs, 41 Tidy Towns groups and 463 volunteer groups.

Marking the 10-year anniversary of the annual clean-up at a celebratory launch in St Munchin’s Community Centre, Kileely, crowds of volunteers and well-known faces attended and enjoyed teas, coffees, sweet treats. 

Among those in attendance included Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely, Mayor of Limerick John Moran and founders of TLC, JP McManus, Helen O’Donnell and Paul O’Connell, who cut the TLC birthday cake and blew out the candles!

READ ALSO: Biggest-ever TLC clean-up kicks off this Good Friday in Limerick

TLC Founders JP McManus, Helen O’Donnell and Paul O’Connell said: “It’s quite incredible to see an idea that started over a cup of tea many years ago now celebrating its 10th anniversary. 

“The thousands of volunteers across our wonderful county who come out in force year after year deserve the credit and we’re all looking forward to chatting with them again today. 

“Let’s celebrate 10 years and let’s also celebrate Limerick, and all that makes it so special. See you all on the streets!”

TLC started with an aim to foster and build relationships with the community, instil a sense of pride in the people of Limerick and protect the environment. All clean-ups finish up with a cup of tea, coffee, and a chat to celebrate the hard work done by families, friends, neighbours, colleagues, and communities. 

Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely says he participates in the clean-up every Good Friday with his daughters. He said: “We love it, it’s part of our family routine every year. 

“It’s great to get out and clean the sides of the roads that we walk every evening with our dogs. It’s great to get it tidied up and you feel better for it!  

“Our local community at home in Galbally really gets behind the initiative as well, everybody gets involved and ight across the county it is a real feel-good initiative”.

Sponsored by the JP McManus Benevolent Fund and supported by Limerick City and County Council, TLC last year saw 57 tonnes of litter collected.