Lister Park clean-up first for young litter picking brothers

Kaidan Khan, aged four and Mikaeel, two, are set to hold weekly or fortnightly clean-ups after their first one proved successful.

The boys kicked off their clean-up campaign with a litter pick at Lister Park in Manningham last weekend.

They received positive feedback for their work from people in the park at the time and are now planning on expanding on it.

Alongside their parents; Ahmed and Maleeha, of Allerton, they spent around an hour picking up discarded items, including empty drinks cans, from around the park.

The young litter pickers were rewarded for their community spirit with an ice-cream by their parents at the park.

They now plan to visit other sites across the Bradford district each Saturday to clean them too.

Ahmed Khan, the boys' father, says they had fun with their initial Lister Park clean-up, seeing it as a treasure hunt and he hopes the boys are leading by example that people older than them can follow.

Kaidan Khan, aged four (left) and his brother, Mikaeel, two, are set to carry out weekly litter picks around Bradford district parks and streets

Mr Khan said: "My wife does not like litter being on the floor, and our kids have picked up on that.

"After positive comments from passers-by at the park, we’ve decided to make this a regular activity.

"They've got their own litter pickers, hi-vis jackets and gloves.

"A lot of people were stopping us and saying we were doing really well.

"Every Saturday we plan to travel in different areas of Bradford hoping to clean the streets and most importantly help others change their attitudes towards littering when they see two young children litter picking.

"They absolutely loved it, and saw this as a fun treasure hunt, looking for any rubbish in and around the park.

Kaidan Khan, aged four (left) and his brother, Mikaeel, two, are set to carry out weekly litter picks around Bradford district parks and streets pictured with parents Ahmed and Maleeha Khan

"As well as having fun, it’s important to instil these good habits into the newer generations so they can really take care of our planet when older.

"Lister Park is a clean park overall.

"Kaidan is always saying to me 'there's a bit of litter on the floor'. We'll go to parks and quieter streets, where it might be a bit safer for them."

The boys were back litter picking earlier this week at Ladyhill Park in Allerton picking up any bits of litter they spotted.