26/09/2026
💚 Remembering Rachael 💚
We were all so shocked and saddened to hear that one of our dedicated volunteers Rachael Harvey-Purkiss tragically lost her life this week.
Rachael joined our group in May 2024 and very quickly became one of our regular and hardworking pickers. She was a real trooper - never afraid of hard work and always on the hunt for a grot spot that needed tackling.
She would go down embankments, deep into hedges and undergrowth, behind garages, into woods - wherever the litter was hiding, Rachael would find it!
She was incredibly quick, too. You could guarantee that Rachael would always return with a very impressive haul of filled sacks.
Rachael wasn’t just a litter picker. She was an active reporter and a constant pair of eyes for our community. She would often message me on her way to work: “Have you seen this?” or “I’ve reported that.” She noticed things, cared about them and wanted to make a difference.
But perhaps what stood out most about Rachael was her huge heart.
Her kindness wasn’t limited to people. If there was a dog, cat, bird or any other animal in trouble, Rachael wanted to help. She would make calls, seek advice, take injured animals and birds to wildlife sanctuaries, and even go searching for missing dogs she had seen posted about online.
Her incredible compassion had taken her even further afield. More recently, Rachael had become involved with a charity helping to build kennels in France and helping dogs rescued from Turkey make their journey through Romania to France, giving them the chance of safer and happier lives.
She saw something/someone that needed help, and she wanted to be involved.
She gave her time, her energy and her kindness so generously. She made a real difference to our streets, to our community and, most importantly, to the animals she cared so deeply about.
Rachael was one of those people who quietly got on with things. She didn’t need recognition. She just saw a job that needed doing and did it.
Those who picked with her will remember her as a real worker and always smiling. I was always delighted when she let me know she could make a group pick, although when she turned up I’d sometimes worry there wouldn’t be enough litter for her to find!
She was out picking about three times a week, often after a long day at work. She was frequently accompanied by her partner Gary and Betty Boo, their adorable spaniel. They mainly picked around Melbourne, including Melbourne Woods, Admirals Park, Chignal Road and Hollow Lane, but would regularly venture into other areas - and even travel to picks outside Chelmsford.
She will be hugely missed by the Chelmsford Litter Wombles and by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Our thoughts are with Rachel's family and friends, and everyone who loved Rachael at this unimaginably difficult time. ❤️
Thank you Rachael - you really did make a huge difference. 💚
💚 A little something for Rachael
As a mark of respect, we have cancelled the group pick on Sunday.
At a later date, we will organise a group pick at Avon Park - an area Rachael particularly liked to tackle, but which is a real grot spot and definitely not for the faint-hearted!
We’ll sort it for Rachael. ❤️
If you’d like to show your appreciation for her, we know she would be absolutely thrilled if you went out and filled a sack of litter in her memory.
When you’ve done it, please post a photo on the group with the words:
“In memory of Rachael.” 💚
If you need a sack, let one of the admins know and we’ll get one to you.
There are around 1,200 people in this group. So wouldn’t it be great if we could fill 1,200 sacks in Rachael’s memory?
One sack. One act of kindness. One small difference - just like Rachael made, time and time again.
The group will reopen for posts at 6pm on Monday.
A go fund me has been set up in memory of Rachael. https://gofund.me/2df52fb94
