Tipton Litter Watch's Think Before You Throw programme, which recently won the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, has received backing from Secretary of State for the Environment, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP.

He has sent the charity a letter of support expressing his interest and admiration for its charity's work with young people.
 
In the letter, Mr Benn said: "As Secretary of State for Environment, I really appreciate the efforts your charity has gone to in raising awareness of litter and its associated environmental problems; particularly your hard work, dedication and what you have achieved with such a small team and an even smaller budget.

"It is heartening also to read about Sandwell's young people taking an active role in improving the quality of life within their schools and local areas and the upbeat and encouraging feedback provided by your volunteers, partners and schools involved in your programme is proof of the fantastic contribution your charity is making on this important issue. Keep up the good work!"

The Secretary of State also commended Tipton Litter Watch for championing the national Eco Schools Award to Sandwell schools.
 
Now in its fourth year the Think Before You Throw programme works in partnership with local schools and educational centres across Sandwell to teach the importance of sustainability and caring for the community.
 
The charity is small and run by one full-time employee and one part-time employee. It is funded with £50,000 annually by Sandwell Children and Young People's Trust Partnership.

Since Think Before You Throw began in 2005, more than 17,000 young people have actively picked litter within their communities to help keep Sandwell tidy and more than 31,000 young people to date have been involved in at least one element of the education programme.

Tipton Litter Watch also supports Sandwell's annual award winning Big Spring Clean campaign, which this year saw 5,200 volunteers and 79 Sandwell schools take part.
 
This is not the first time the Think Before You Throw programme has received praise from the Government.

Back in March, Minister for Children, Young People & Families, Beverley Hughes commended the charity's work with young people.

And last month, the charity was awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (equal to MBE status). In addition, Think Before You Throw received a Highly Commended accolade at the 2009 Local Government Chronicle and Health Service Journal Sustainable Communities Award for Improving The Local Environment.
 
Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Ian Jones, said: "This is an excellent organisation which has done a lot of highly commendable work with children in the borough and I'm glad they are being recognised nationally for all their hard work."

For more information about Tipton Litter Watch, please contact Lindsay Richmond call 0121 557 6001 or email tiptonlitter@aol.com