Kirkcaldy teenager cleans up his neighbourhood in pursuit of prestigious award

A green-fingered Kirkcaldy teenager has been taking a pride in his local area to help him achieve his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Kirkcaldy High pupil Aarron Pirrie,  who has been cleaning up his local area as part of working towards his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Pic Fife Photo Agency.Kirkcaldy High pupil Aarron Pirrie,  who has been cleaning up his local area as part of working towards his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Pic Fife Photo Agency.
Kirkcaldy High pupil Aarron Pirrie, who has been cleaning up his local area as part of working towards his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Pic Fife Photo Agency.

Aarron Pirrie, 13, who lives in Greenloanings, has been tiding up his neighbourhood since the end of July.

Every week the Kirkcaldy High pupil has been weeding areas that have become overgrown as well as picking up rubbish. He also maintains the areas he has worked on when there are signs of weed regrowth.

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And when winter arrives, the conscientious teen intends to clear the path and stairs of snow and ice to his local shop to make it safer for the residents.

Before and after photos which show the difference Aaron has made cleaning up his local area.Before and after photos which show the difference Aaron has made cleaning up his local area.
Before and after photos which show the difference Aaron has made cleaning up his local area.

Aarron is doing the clean-up as part of work to attain his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

His mum Nikki said he was eager to do it and had to think of a volunteering job he could do that would work within the coronavirus restrictions.

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She said: “It was when we were out for a walk we noticed how untidy the weeds were becoming and that is how he decided he wanted to tidy up the local area.

"He had to contact the Fife Council to gain permission, which councillor Neil Crooks helped us to do.

"To complete his award he has to complete three different sectors. There is a voluntary sector which he has decided to do for six months and he has received support from Fife Council which has supplied him with the correct tools, high viz vest and black bags.

"He also has a skills sector for three months and for this he has done his wood work – so far he has made two gates and wooden planters, and there is a physical sector for three months, which he aims to walk 40 miles.”

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Nikki continued: “For each section he needs an assessor to sign off that he has completed his aims and targets.

"He will receive his award next year once he had completed all aspects of the award and it had been signed off by the organisers and assessors.”

She added: “Whilst he has been tiding the area Aarron has had some local residents telling him he has made a huge difference to the area. I am very proud of the hard work he has carried out.”

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