Neil Hamilton AM urges constituents to get involved with marine clean-up

NEIL Hamilton, AM for Mid & West Wales and Leader of UKIP Wales, is urging his constituents to get involved in a major clean-up campaign next month.

Mr Hamilton, a member of the Senedd’s Environment Committee, is backing charity, Keep Wales Tidy, who are calling for volunteers to help clear litter in our rivers and waterways, along with TARGETING MARINE LITTER on beaches across Wales.

He said:

“I hope anyone who is able will get involved and volunteer for this annual campaign which runs this year from September 20.

“Not only will you be helping to clean up beaches but also our rivers and canals. Litter found in our various waterways does eventually find its way into our oceans. The problem with marine litter is not just relevant to coastal communities.

“Litter is always a problem on the coast and we must work together to improve this situation.  Apart from keeping beaches clean for people and tourists, some of our best-loved marine wildlife is under threat from the waste and litter in our seas, with hundreds of species accidentally eating or becoming entangled in rubbish, in particular plastic.

“I am delighted to back this campaign and urge anyone who wants to get involved to make sure they get in touch with Keep Wales Tidy.

“Keep Wales Tidy does a splendid job in spearheading the campaign to keep Wales litter free, from helping to improve the local environment to making sure that we have award winning blue flag beaches.”

Following the success of last years All Wales Beach Clean, Keep Wales Tidy are targeting rivers and waterways, along with beaches across Wales in a month-long campaign.  In partnership with McDonald’s, Marine Clean Cymru will take place from September 20 to October 20.

The campaign coincides with the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Great British Beach Clean, from September 20-23 which is the UK’s largest national beach cleaning and litter survey programme.

Litter data collected and submitted will be used to identify the specific problems our Welsh seas and coasts are facing and enable us to take collective action to improve our marine environment.

Community groups, schools and businesses from across Wales will be joining the month of action, organising clean up events up and down the country.

Lesley Jones, Chief Executive for Keep Wales Tidy said: “We’re all responsible for the health of our oceans, so it’s crucial that we come together to make a real and lasting difference to our marine environment. Join us to work in partnership on this clean-up campaign and show how we’re caring for Wales and the wider world together.”

Marine Clean Cymru is being supported by McDonald’s, with volunteers from restaurants up and down the country planning on giving up their time to clean up their local beach or waterway.

To get involved, visit the Keep Wales Tidy website.