Call to help clean up our beaches
Three beaches in the Sunderland area will be taking part in an annual clean-up operation this weekend.
On Saturday, volunteers are being invited to take part in the Great British Beach Clean events at Ryhope village beach, Terrace (red acre) beach and Blast beach.
The events are being organised the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) – and members of the public are urged to join them in clearing litter from the coastline and help collect valuable data.
Volunteers are asked to record all the litter they find along a designated 100-metre stretch of beach, which helps the charity to build a picture of the most prolific types of rubbish and tackle them at source.
Environment minister Rebecca Pow said: “Litter blights out beaches and threatens our ocean life. Thanks in part to the efforts of countless volunteers across the UK each year, we can help to keep them clean and protect the wildlife that lives there.
“I encourage everyone to take part in this year’s Great British Beach Clean and to do their bit to help protect our environment. It can also be great fun.”
Lizzie Prior, MCS Beachwatch Officer, added: “Taking part in the Great British Beach Clean really can make a difference.
“In previous years when we’ve highlighted increases in dog poo bags and sewage related debris found on beaches and seen drops in numbers subsequently.”
Each beach has a co-ordinator who explains how to fill in a data form, then volunteers can grab a litter picker and a bin bag and begin filling it up with rubbish.
To check the times of the local events, and to register to take part, go to www.mcsuk. org/greatbritishbeachclean
If you can’t find an event on your preferred beach, call 01989 566017, to find out how you can organise your own.