UK's biggest ever beach clean starts on Yorkshire coast
'Surfers Against Sewage' are aiming for 100,000 volunteers to do 10 miles of cleaning each for their 'million mile clean'.
Last updated 15th May 2021
A campaign for the UK's biggest ever beach clean has started today on the Yorkshire coast.
A 50-metre sand drawing of a seal surrounded by plastic had been created at Cayton Bay last month to mark the campaign.
'Surfers Against Sewage' are aiming for 100,000 volunteers to do 10 miles of cleaning each for their 'million mile clean', although it does not have to be on a beach.
Steve Crawford is the Scarborough representative of SAS and said:
"We're not encouraging people to travel. We're trying to make that people stay safe so we're asking people to do this near to their homes; it can be parks, beaches, any open space, rivers, lakes, just anything you want.
"It's been a hard year for people and normally SAS organise big, big cleans where people get together to enjoy the social side of actually being involved in this sort of stuff but this year, obviously we can't quite do the same thing. A lot of the mental clarity comes from doing things where you feel that you're actually helping out.
"We've all seen how much litter has accrued. It's only a small percentage of people but some of those leave so much litter behind.
"The big thing about beach cleans is that if the litter is left on that beach over the course of 12 hours, that litter is gone for good. So as important as with everything else, the beach we try and keep them clean."
Hugo Tagholm, Chief Executive of Surfers Against Sewage, commented:
"The ocean is under threat and we are running out of time to save it. We want to inspire an army of ocean activists to join the cause and put an end to plastic pollution in the UK.
"After more than a year of isolation, social distancing and reduced physical activity, the Million Mile Beach Clean reconnects communities with the environment and provides numerous benefits to mental health and physical wellbeing.
"Sign up and get involved today and together we can make a difference."
For more information and to register, visit: https://beachcleans.org.uk/
Whilst the initiative runs throughout 2021, the first week of action will take place today (Sunday 15th May) until Sunday 23rd of May.
Several notable organisations and individuals are supporting the campaign including the Outdoor Swimming Society, ex-professional surfer and mental health advocate Laura Crane, diver and biologist Gillian Burke and wildlife presenter Lizzie Daly.
Gillian Burke, wildlife presenter and biologist, said:
"Making the connection between mental health and conservation is key in mobilising communities in the right way and the Million Mile Beach Clean does just that. 100,000 volunteers, each cleaning 10 miles of beach or river or street or mountain - the impact speaks for itself. It’s ambitious, it’s physical, I’m in!"