The Florida South Residents Association (FSRA) is continuing its push to make a tangible difference in the community; one clean-up at a time.

FSRA chairperson Rodney Churchyard says it is disheartening that illegal dumping has become so widespread in Florida.

“It’s everywhere,” says Churchyard. “Wherever you look, there is trash being dumped on our corners, in our parks, by our lakes, under our bridges, and it has to stop.”

Churchyard has been rallying residents to help restore Florida to its former glory, but admits it is often an uphill battle.

“Sometimes we will spend days cleaning up an area, only to show up the next morning and find that someone dumped a whole bakkie load of rubble or other refuse overnight.

“It can get disheartening, but all we can do is push on.”

He adds that securing residents’ support is another challenge. “I arrange many clean-ups at hotspots where residents are quick to complain on social media, but are slow to step in and help. Often, we would be cleaning up somewhere while one or two residents turn up to help, while others just look on and don’t lift a finger.”

In recent weeks, Churchyard’s crew has tackled various hotspots throughout Florida, earning praise from the community.

They also pitched in at Maraisburg, where vegetation had taken over nearly a whole lane at the intersection of Albertina Sisulu Road and 9th Street.

“The Hands of Maraisburg group is doing fantastic work in their area. When I heard about an accident that occurred on that spot last weekend, I knew the time had come to do something about it, so I got my team together.

“It was quite a job, but we did it, and hopefully another accident can be prevented.”