Young people take part in Ballycolman clean-up

YOUNG people from Strabane have been praised for their efforts in helping to clean up access to pensioners’ homes in Ballycolman Estate.

Members of the Community Rescue Service (CRS) Cadets and Melmount Youth Forum came together recently to clear away debris including moss and vegetation which had been clogging alleyways at the rear of homes.

“This is what it is all about,” remarked Andy Gallagher from Melmount Community Forum. “Young people being passionate about their community irrespective of what side of the river they live on.”

Andy said the alleyways had become hazardous for elderly residents in the area because of the slippery nature of the surfaces.

“It takes an awful lot of stress away for residents,” he continued. “The housing there is designed for pensioners. By their age they’re not able to manage as well, taking out bins and accessing the houses. And when the ground is wet and mossy that poses further problems.

“In order to reduce that stress the young people went down and cleaned it up and did an absolutely fantastic job. But as well as this alleviation of stress and worry for the older residents, the work also gives the young people the sense of being valued and schemes like this can lead them on to more positive things in the future.

“All credit to them. They’ve also been out with search and rescue delivering food parcels to the elderly and they have been involved in other clean-ups. This is about promoting what they’re doing and also encouraging other young people to come on board and get involved.”

Andy concluded by offering his thanks to all those who took part or helped out in any way.