During the Big Clean-up Day, the President of Latvia and patron of the Big Clean-up Day Andris Bērziņš and one of the biggest financial supporters of the Big Clean-up Day, Skonto Būve’s owner and Chairman of the Board Guntis Rāvis, both worked on securing the dunes in the Slow Mile (Gausā jūdze) between Jaunķemeri and Lapmežciems. Securing walls were made out of osiers in order to strengthen the coast and ensure that natural disasters, especially strong gusts of wind, wouldn’t erode the seashore.

Andris Bērziņš, President of Latvia: “For the fifth time already, Latvians of all ages are gathering for the Big Clean-up Day. The cleanup, as a coming together to work in one’s own or a neighbour’s yard has a long tradition in Latvia and people used to put great pride in this activity. Therefore, I wish that the spirit and will of the Great Cleanup won’t fade together with the things we have done today. May this day remind us to take care of our beautiful country and be responsible for keeping itclean.”

Guntis Rāvis, Chairman of the Board of Skonto Būve: “It is with great pleasure that Skonto Būve supports the Big Clean-up Day for the second year. This is one of the events where we would like to set an example and encourage people to treat the environment responsibly. Supporting the Big Clean-up Day is one of the ways that helps us strengthen the ongoing improvement of the environment and education of society.”

The tradition of the Big Clean-up Day began with a major cleanup on 13 September 2008, as part of the events honouring the 90thanniversary of Latvia.The purpose of the Big Clean-up Day is to make Latvia the cleanestand “greenest” country in the world.