This month marked a fantastic milestone for us as over 40 volunteers gathered at Longsands Beach for our largest beach clean to date. Among the volunteers were students from Newcastle College, whose participation highlights a growing shift in attitudes towards environmental responsibility and protecting our planet.
Amy Tarry, Work Experience Coordinator from Newcastle College said “it was a brilliant experience; our students got a lot out of the visit today and learned so much”
In just one hour, our volunteers managed to collect a staggering 28 bags of litter, demonstrating the incredible impact that a motivated community can have, as well as a devasating need to continue spreading awareness of the ongoing challenges our beaches face due to human activity. The collection included a variety of waste items such as glass bottles, plastic wrappers, a discarded tyre, wine bottles, vape fluid containers, and even a disposable grill.
A particularly memorable moment during the clean was the sighting of a wild seal resting on the beach. Volunteers had the opportunity to observe this beautiful marine creature from a safe distance, gaining a firsthand understanding of the marine life directly affected by pollution on our coastlines.
Feedback from volunteers was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a strong desire to make beach cleans a regular community activity. There is a growing sense of pride and responsibility within our community to keep our beaches clean and to promote environmental awareness. We are already in the process of organising another clean later this month on May 18th – details to follow on our social media channels!
Our beach clean not only made a tangible difference in the appearance of Longsands, but also fostered a sense of unity and purpose among participants. Together, we are taking meaningful steps toward safeguarding our environment for future generations and the marine life living alongside us.
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this effort. We look forward to organising more regular events and continuing to work together to protect our beautiful coast.
