Marine Life & Conservation
Wild Swimmers Head Back To Eastbourne For Marine Charity’s Fourth Open Water Event
Marine Conservation Society’s popular fundraiser stays on the south coast
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says it’s delighted to be returning to Eastbourne to host its fourth Big Sea Swim charity event. The bathing waters off Eastbourne beach have consistently been recognised as excellent by the charity in its Good Beach Guide.
Since the event began in 2012 it’s raised over £12,000 for MCS, the UK’s leading marine charity, ensuring the organisation can continue its work on marine pollution, protection and sustainable seafood.
The Big Sea Swim is open to swimmers of all abilities who like to do their breast stroke and front crawl away from the confines of the swimming pool. Swimmers can register online now for the event on Saturday 11th July. There are two courses – 1km for first time or less experienced swimmers and a 3km swim for those up for a bigger challenge.
Last year over 60 swimmers took part in the event organised by MCS in conjunction with swim event organiser SwimTrek who will be there on the day to ensure the safety of everyone taking part. The event is supported by eco-fashion label, Rapanui, organic beauty experts, Green People, and organic food delivery company, Abel & Cole.
Alisdair Naulls, MCS Recruitment Officer, says the Big Sea Swim is a chance to experience open water swimming in clean seas: “We would love to see even more people take part in the event this year and help raise more funds for our conservation work. Registration is just £25 for the 1km course and £35 for the 3km. This year we’re throwing down a challenge for swimmers to try and get sponsorship too. £50 of sponsorship means MCS can equip 10 people with beach cleaning kit. The three people who raise the most will get a year’s free membership to MCS.”
Mark Burgess from SwimTrek says: “The Big Sea Swim is a great event that we are proud to be involved with. Eastbourne is a fantastic location for a sea swim with its excellent water quality, clean beach and very supportive seafront team. As well as raising awareness of the work MCS does, the event is a fantastic opportunity to experience open water swimming in a fun and safe environment.”
Alisdair Naulls says MCS is delighted that the event gets plenty of local support: “Eastbourne Borough Council are using it as part of their ‘Time 2 Change’ initiative, encouraging people to get active and eat healthily. The Eastbourne Lifeguarding team will be helping out at the event to ensure, along with SwimTrek – themselves a local company, participants’ safety and to make sure the focus remains on enjoying the swim, and raising some funds.”
Places are limited so swimmers are urged to visit www.mcsuk.org/swim now to find out more about the event and book a place.
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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