Volunteers rallied for coastal clean-up

On a wet and blustery morning, a group of dedicated Blind Veterans UK community and centre volunteers gathered outside our centre in Rustington for a beach clean that revealed more than expected.

Where appeared to be a relatively clean stretch of coastline, our team uncovered:

• 154 pieces of litter
• Total weight: 4kg

Unusual finds included:

• A small orange Lego brick
• A single sock
• A pandemic-era face mask
• Lots of rope, fishing nets, and line

Plastics were the most common material found, reminding us just how persistent and harmful they are to our marine environment.

The clean-up covered a 100-metre stretch directly in front of our centre. Every item was carefully recorded and submitted to the Marine Conservation Society, whose beach survey programme has been running for over 25 years.

After their hard work, volunteers returned to our centre for hot drinks, cake, and a chance to reflect on the morning’s efforts.

The event was a fantastic collaboration between our Centre Volunteer Coordinator Hugo and Community Volunteer Coordinator Anne who organised the day and gave our different groups of volunteers an opportunity to get together, spend time with our blind veterans and support the centre and wider community.

Huge thanks to everyone who took part - proving that even in the rain, community spirit and care for the planet shine through.