Young athletes from Cougars basketball team in Bridgend have been caring for the environment alongside Keep Wales Tidy, by grouping together and removing almost four tonnes of stones from an overflow area of the Ogmore River.

The stones, which were blocking a flood diversion route behind Redrow’s Afon Gardens development in Bridgend, were removed after two days of hard work thanks to the efforts of the community, including local residents who made tea and coffee for everyone involved.

To thank them for their time, Redrow Homes has donated £1,750 to Cougars, who on the day were made up of parents and children aged eight to sixteen-years-old, and this will be used to purchase new equipment and a new playing pitch.

Cassie Jennings, team manager at Cougars basketball club, said:

“The team and the parents had a great couple of days out stone picking, and it was a fantastic way for the children to learn about the environment and to get involved with the community.

“Unfortunately, we don’t get the funding we require anymore so we are grateful to Redrow for providing a donation that will enable us to better our facilities and continue to build confidence and character through basketball.”

Beverley Wookey, sales director at Redrow South Wales, said:

“We want to thank Keep Wales Tidy and Cougars basketball team for the amazing job they did at the Afon Gardens development.

“It couldn’t have been an easy job but we are glad that the community came together to