[M]orecambe Bay and Cumbria’s beaches are set to benefit from the latest round of Sea-Changers’ funds – with a grant being awarded to replace well-used beach cleaning equipment and help establish a new beach cleaning group.
Since 2003, several volunteer groups have been established in Morecambe Bay and Cumbria thanks to the Morecambe Bay Partnership the LOVEmyBEACH campaign. In the Bay area, volunteers run regular groups at Arnside, Silverdale, Sunderland Point, Walney Island, Morecambe, Middleton and Hest Bank. Regular groups also operate in West Cumbria at Allonby, Crosscanonby, Silloth, Wolsty Banks and Bowness-on- Solway.
The grant will help those groups which require new equipment with replacement litter pickers, gloves and hoops. It will also cover the initial and ongoing costs of a new beach clean group in Morecambe Bay or Cumbria. Any residents interested in establishing a group are encouraged to email [email protected]
The Sea-Changers grant is donated by lovers of the sea; sourced through fundraising from scuba divers, sailors and cruise-goers, via the charity’s marine business partners such as Mike’s Dive Store, Boat Sharefinder and Hebridean Island Cruises. Over the past 6 years Sea-Changers has awarded 115 marine conservation grants across the UK.
Hannah Barnes, LOVEmyBEACH co-ordinator at the Morecambe Bay Partnership added: “We are over the moon to receive this grant from Sea-Changers! Many of our beach cleans have grown in popularity since Blue Planet was aired so it’s important that we can replace broken equipment and meet the demand to clean the coast. We’re so grateful to all of our volunteers who help keep our beaches & seas clean and thank Sea-Changers for helping to make it happen.”
