Hastings Businesses Join Fight Against Graffiti and Litter

Keep Hastings Beautiful Trusts’ month long campaign to raise awareness of its work in the community culminates this week with a fundraising drive, Wednesday, September 24, to Wednesday, October 1.

Businesses throughout Hastings, Flaxmere and Havelock North which support the trusts work will be official collection points for donations.

Many of the businesses collecting donations regularly receive help from the trust to remove graffiti from their property.

Environmental Enhancement Officer, Jacqui Barnes, says the month long campaign, kicked off by the national Keep New Zealand Beautiful week, has been a huge success.

“The trust relies on donations, sponsorship and grants to carry out a vast range of programmes in Hastings aimed at cleaning up the streets and enhancing civic pride. It’s been great to see the community get behind the campaign and the work the trust does,” Jacqui says.

The campaign has included:

· The launch of the increasingly popular Clean-Up Fairy, who will continue to visit schools throughout the city.
· A Community Art Day, which introduced graffiti offenders and community groups to new public art canvases under the Chesterhope Bridge.
· Surprise “art installations” in Havelock North, Flaxmere and Hastings with a confronting message about litter dropped in the community.

Any business wanting to help the trust raise funds by hosting a bucket can contact Jacqui Barnes at Hastings District Council, on 878 0500.
To make a donation directly to the trust send it to Keep Hastings Beautiful Trust, c/o Hastings District Council, Private Bag 9002 or to sponsor the trust visit www.keephastingsbeautiful.org.nz