Pupils clear the way for seafront triathlon
Primary school pupils in Sunderland have been doing their bit to get the city’s beaches spick and span for a major sports event.
Children from Dame Dorothy Primary School took to Roker Beach armed with black bags and litter pickers for a beach clean with local cafe owner, Sue Taggart.
The clean-up was in advance of Sunderland hosting the British Triathlon Super Series Grand Final over the weekend of August 20 and 21 and is one of a series of litter picks the school and the cafe are planning ahead of the seafront event. Sue Taggart, who runs Sue's Cafe with her son Rob Hutchinson, said: "We try to get the children active in all areas along the seafront and everything that's going on and thought this would be a good opportunity for the children to come down, do a beach clean and see what's going on ahead of the triathlon." Dame Dorothy Primary teacher, Helena Horn, said: "We do a lot of work with Sue and work with partnerships to do a lot at Roker seafront too, including planting plants and now this beach clean.
"We've been talking to the children about the triathlon coming to Roker and there's a lot going on at the seafront to get it ready and the children are really excited to see a real life triathlon taking place."
Sunderland City Council deputy leader, Cllr Claire Rowntree, said: "It's brilliant to see local schools and businesses getting behind this event to make sure that the seafront is looking its best for the triathlon.
"Our environmental services teams work really hard to keep our seafront and beaches looking their beautiful best but it's always nice to get a bit of extra help and I'd like to thank Sue and the children from Dame Dorothy's for doing such a fantastic job."
Sunderland City Council is hoping that major sporting events such as the triathlon and the Tour of Britain cycle race – on September 6 – will inspire more people to take up swimming, cycling and running.
Cabinet member for vibrantcity,CllrLindaWilliams, said: “Hosting the British Triathlon Super Series Grand FinalisafirstforSunderlandand it’s a really exciting opportunity, with something for everyone to get involved with across the weekend."