HI, I’M RUDY.
I'm on a mission to clean up my local area — one crisp packet and plastic bottle at a time.
One boy, one bag, one big clean up!
Rudy – Litter Picker, Big Helper
The Plan
Rudy is 6 (nearly 7!), lives in the Cotswolds, and has a big heart for helping others.
As part of his school’s Grow a Fiver challenge, Rudy used his £5 to buy a litter picker. Instead of selling cakes or crafts, he decided to clean up the world around him and raise money for his school’s Big Build in the process. With his picker in one hand and a bin bag in the other, Rudy is turning rubbish into real change — one crisp packet and plastic bottle at a time.
The Cause
All of Rudy’s efforts are part of the fundraising drive for the Hatherop Big Build — an ambitious project to improve and expand his school.
The goal? Raise £1.5 million to replace an ageing temporary classroom, build a much-needed new hall, and make space for even better learning. Rudy’s picking up litter to help build a brighter future — not just for himself, but for every pupil who’ll walk through Hatherop’s gates in years to come.
The Mission
Rudy is taking on his own clean-up campaign — visiting parks, beaches and playgrounds around the Cotswolds and beyond.
His special mission? For every minute he spends playing in the playground, he’ll dedicate a minute to picking up litter in the surrounding area. It’s a give-and-take promise Rudy made to nature, and one that makes every swing, slide and seaside trip that little bit more meaningful.
The Big Pick Up —
Rudy’s litter picker is going on tour! Over the next few weeks, he’ll be visiting parks and public spaces around his home — and even heading to Liverpool during the Easter holidays. At each stop, Rudy will play, pick and post his progress.
The Rule: For every minute he plays in a playground, he spends a minute picking up rubbish in the park and surrounding area.
Stop 1: Aldsworth Village
Rudy's home village! He’s kicking off the tour here on Saturday 29th April with a community litter pick started by local residents. It’s all hands (and pickers) on deck.
Stop 2: Leys Recreation Ground, Witney
A big, busy park in Witney where Rudy spotted lots of litter. He’ll be tackling it soon with a bag (or three!) and balancing it with time in the playground.
Stop 3: Abbey Grounds Park, Cirencester
A beautiful but busy park in the heart of Cirencester — and Rudy's next clean-up stop during the Easter holidays. It’s a big space, so he’ll be working hard to leave it tidier than he found it!
Stop 4: West Kirby Beach
During the Easter holidays, Rudy is heading to the Wirral for a coastal clean-up. Buckets, spades… and bin bags! It’s sand, sea and litter-picking.
Stop 5: Playgrounds Everywhere
Rudy’s on a mission to visit as many local playgrounds as he can — with his litter picker in hand and his minute-for-minute promise in place. For every minute he plays, he spends a minute picking up rubbish nearby. He’s aiming to hit as many parks as his mum will take him to (and his brother, Bobby… who might not be quite as helpful!)
THANKS FROM RUDY —
