Dozens of volunteers from Essex & Suffolk Water are helping to keep the coastlines clean and tidy as part of the national Great British Beach Clean (19-28 September).
Stretching from Thorpe Bay in Essex, through Lowestoft in Suffolk, to Gorleston in Norfolk, teams of employees are joining forces to tackle litter and protect the region’s beautiful beaches and marine life.
The clean-up campaign kicked off with a riverside litter pick at Heybridge Basin sea lock, which runs into the River Blackwater and eventually the North Sea.
Other litter picks have taken place in Dunwich and Lowestoft in Suffolk, Gorleston in Norfolk and Thorpe Bay in Essex, as part of the national campaign, organised by the Marine Conservation Society, creating several weeks of action.
Lewis Banks, Planning and Performance Manager at Essex & Suffolk Water, said: "We were lucky with the weather and it was great getting out of the office and spending time together, doing something that will benefit our customers and the local area."
It’s part of the water company’s Just an Hour employee volunteering programme, which encourages staff to give back to their communities in meaningful ways.
Their efforts are being supported by local councils and environmental partners.
Zoe Frogbrook, Head of Environment and Sustainability at Essex & Suffolk Water, said: “It’s incredible to see so many of our people coming together to support this event.
“We’re always happy to donate our time to protect our local beaches in this way. These clean-ups are about more than just litter picking, they’re part of our wider commitment to supporting communities and protecting the natural environment here in Essex and Suffolk.”
The Great British Beach clean, organised by the Marine Conservation Society and running from 19 to 28 September, aims to raise awareness of marine pollution and promote healthier seas.