Over the past two weeks Clean Coasts have honoured winning groups, individuals, communities and businesses who have won an Ocean Hero Award for outstanding work and commitment to their coastlines and areas.
Mairead Staunton from Mayo who participates often with the group Keep our Beaches Clean was awarded the Individual of the Year Award in Clean Coast’s Ocean Hero Awards ceremony and the group was awarded The Beach Clean Bubble Award, which acknowledges new and established Clean Coasts groups made up of close family and friends who banded together during lockdown to look after their local waterway or coastline. The individual of the year acknowledges those individuals who initiate change and inspire others to do more to protect and conserve their coastline.
When discussing her clean-up efforts over the last year Mairead said: "After the start of lockdown last year, I and a number of friends began taking a swim in the sea at 8am every morning. I started litter picking along the beach, a little every day. Soon some of the other swimmers joined and it has now become a daily habit. As time has passed, the litter problem has decreased. There are still days when there is plenty to pick up but generally the careless behaviour is not what it was."
Sinead McCoy, Clean Coasts Manager said: "I would like to congratulate all of the Ocean Hero Awardees, our shortlist and winners are incredibly inspiring volunteers, groups and communities that have made an outstanding contribution to protecting Ireland’s coastal environment.
"The Clean Coasts programme’s Ocean Hero Awards have been celebrating the incredible efforts of volunteers around the Irish Coastline since 2006. Although 2021 has been challenging at times it has been an incredible year for Clean Coasts and our network has grown so much and shown an incredible amount of dedication and care for our beaches, coastline, marine life and oceans. We were delighted to have received so many inspirational nominations that show not only the true dedication of these coastal custodians, but also that their efforts don’t go unnoticed by the community."
