Volunteers' Week 2022: Stormtrooper Litter-Pickers 'Use The Force' to Improve Their Area

Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away – or three years ago, in the Staffordshire Moorlands to be more precise – the Endon Stormtroopers set out on a mission.  

They wanted to ‘use the force’ for good – to improve their local area, and to raise money for causes close to their hearts.   

Keep Britain Tidy is thanking this eyecatching group of litter-pickers as we celebrate our volunteers during Volunteering Week. 

The Biddulph family first donned their Stormtrooper helmets and adopted their space-faring alter-egos in 2019. For them, volunteering is all about “putting smiles on people’s faces and raising money for charity.”  

And they have certainly done that. As well as fundraising, the Endon Stormtroopers have carried out countless random acts of kindness, and joined the legions of #LitterHeroes litter-picking as part of our Great British Spring Clean campaign.  

The Endon Stormtroopers quickly found that giving back to their community gave back to them in kind, with Stormtrooper James telling us that: “We have made loads of new friends doing our volunteering, some close to home, some further away.”  

Although there have been challenging times since they began volunteering in 2019, taking action has had a positive impact on the family’s health and well-being 

The Endon Stormtroopers group consists of six family members – but they sometimes team up with as many as 40 other volunteers. 

James, a member of the group, said: “Our confidence has grown since being volunteers.”  

“It has helped to reduce loneliness and isolation due to illness, brought us closer together as a family, and helped with anxiety.”  

“Volunteering is now a massive part of our life. We wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s now our way of life.” 

Volunteers Week takes place from 1 – 7 June every year, and is a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution that volunteers like the Endon Stormtroopers make to our communities and thank them.  

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive Allison-Ogden-Newton, said: “These amazing volunteers are living proof that volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life. Their marvellous activities have no doubt attracted a lot of admiration from the public. 

“We want to thank the Stormtroopers as well as all our #LitterHeroes volunteers and volunteer judges who protect our environment and wildlife, help our green and blue spaces to thrive and who make our charity the vibrant and dedicated organisation it is today.” 

Volunteers Week is supported and celebrated by small grassroots organisations as well as larger, household-name charities, who together run hundreds of activities across the UK. These activities showcase and celebrate volunteers and the contribution volunteering makes in our communities.