A caring Dukinfield mum is determined to make the area she lives in a cleaner place to live by taking to the streets and clearing them of rubbish.

Gillian Hazell, 57, was recently applauded by people in the community who have thanked her for her efforts in clearing the streets and waste land around their homes of rubbish.

Gillian, who is originally from Surrey, moved to Dukinfield 30 years ago after meeting her husband in the Greek Islands.

She lives on Lord Street with her husband, son and dog Oscar.

She said she started to clear up the area around her home several years ago.

Gillian told us: “I litter pick Lord Street, Liston Street and Rush Street each week and will possibly extend ‘my route’ in the coming weeks as I have a little more time to spare at the moment.

“I started years ago just clearing my own part of the street, but after giving up work several years ago I spent a lot of time clearing up the large communal yard at the back of our houses - weeding, digging over the garden and re-planting it.

“When I had finished that I decided I couldn’t stand looking at the mess in the street at the front any more and set to with the litter-picker and I’ve done it ever since."

Some of the rubbish dumped in the town 

She continued: “It sounds odd, but I enjoy doing it, as apart from the obvious visual improvement to the street it gives me the opportunity to speak to other residents who I wouldn’t have got to know otherwise.”

People in Dukinfield have spotted Gillian’s hard work and praised her on the Dukinfield Community page on Facebook, with many saying they see her every week and are proud of the work she does.

Gillian added: “My immediate neighbours are lovely and I am able to help them out by putting their bins out each week and baking the odd cake for them!

“I was overwhelmed by the comments on Facebook, it has made me feel really appreciated!”

Images by Nigel Wood 

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