A MAN who helps to tidy up St Helens has opened up about the abuse and support he's received picking up litter and how he's giving back to others.

Ian Roberts, from Peter Street, started collecting litter across the borough years ago after services near his home were reduced.

He's continued to do this throughout the pandemic, and says the litter strewn across parks has not decreased despite lockdown - but he's using it to his advantage by raising money for the Steve Prescott Foundation.

He said: "I've been using the litter picking for exercise throughout the pandemic anyway so I decided to sign up to the 1,000 mile walk throughout 2021 for the Steve Prescott Foundation.

St Helens Star:

"I read that the police had to break up an anti-social gathering in Sutton Park over the weekend, and where there’s anti-social behaviour there’s usually litter. So I walked up there today to see what I could do to help.

"I got my head bitten off twice while I was there by people who thought I worked for the council instead of me just volunteering complaining that the bins haven't been emptied, which even if I did work for the council that isn't the right way to treat people.

"We are all under a lot of pressure and there's people off and shielding and the schedules have been affected also.

"Anyway, I picked for over four hours and recovered seven full bags of litter. Not a bad effort even if I say so myself.

St Helens Star:

"For my 1000 Mile Walk in 2021 while picking up 1,000 bags of litter to fundraise for The Steve Prescott Foundation I’ve now walked 70 miles, picked up 148 bags of litter and raised more than £1,000.

"And that's only in the first 19 days of January so hopefully I'll raise a lot more.

"It just makes it all worth it when you feel appreciated for what you do, it makes up for the comments you occasionally get off people."

To donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Ian-StHelensLitterHeroes