Western Morning News (Saturday)
National award for beach clean campaigner
AYOUNG pioneer in the fight against plastic pollution on beaches has been honoured with national award.
Emily Stevenson, 23, has organised more than 100 community beach cleans along the North Cornwall coastline, engaging with around 6,500 volunteers.
She co-founded the group Beach Guardian with her dad Rob in 2017 and has visited more than 70 primary schools around the UK, raising awareness of the impacts of plastic pollution with more than 10,000 school children.
She has now been given a prestigious Diana Award, named after Diana, Princess of Wales and recognising as a ‘living legacy’ the belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better.
The award highlighted the impact Emily has made as a campaigner – when she graduated as a marine biologist, she wore a dress made entirely of discarded Walkers Crisp packets. The company eventually pledged to make all packaging environmentally friendly by 2025.
The Diana Award, given online this year, is regarded as the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts and Emily, of Padstow, Cornwall, said she was stunned when she was told.
She said: “It is mind-blowing to receive it. I am shocked they chose me.
“I was told a month or so ago but could not tell a soul and it was the best kept secret I have ever kept. I usually have to tell everyone everything, but I was so anxious not to let this out.
“The nomination was from the Rotary Club in Lostwithiel. I first met them when I had a presentation of the conference last year of the work we were doing with Beach Guardian and plastic pollution.
“The award was established in Diana’s name as throughout her life she was responsible for so much social action and humanitarian causes and she believed young people could change the world.
“I think the award has been given for the overall work we have been doing in uniting communities, the international platform with the Walkers dress and the nationwide recycling scheme.
“I think they really liked all we were doing with Walkers and the work we have done to engage with people.”
Emily said she developed a strong interest in marine conservation at a young age and it had been her passion long before she officially set up Beach Guardian three years ago.
But she said that the award was one she shared with everyone who has been a part of the journey ever since.
She added: “It has made me so humbled and grateful. I do not deserve this award on my own as it has been such a community effort.
“This was started as the community wanted it. They wanted to do something about environmental issues and we are successful because of the community. The volunteers and the collaborations have allowed us to get to this point.”