A team of medics from HMS Raleigh have given their time to bring some much needed first aid to a Cornish beach.
The group of 15 people spent a couple of hours picking up debris at Portwrinkle beach, South East Cornwall, washed ashore during the recent storms.
In total they collected over 20 bags of rubbish, including four car tyres and a huge pile of tangled rope and netting that could have easily killed marine wildlife had it been re-floated.
Surgeon Commander Sarah Barton, HMS Raleigh’s Principle Medical Officer, said: “As well as looking after the medical needs of the staff and trainees at HMS Raleigh, most weeks we are busy carrying out medicals for the week one recruits.
“However with no new class of recruits joining HMS Raleigh this week, it gave us a rare opportunity for a bit of team-building, which we decided to combine with a project that would give something back to the marine environment.”
The team undertook the clean in support of the charity, Rame Peninsula Beach Care (RSPC).
Claire Wallerstein, of RPBC, said: “We are very grateful to the HMS Raleigh medics for giving up their time to come and help remove so much waste from the beach, deposited there following the recent stormy weather.
“Marine plastic is much more than an eyesore on our beaches.
“It is estimated to kill one million seabirds and 100,000 whales, dolphins, seals and turtles worldwide each year, so every piece removed from the marine environment is one piece less out there to do harm.
“We are glad the team enjoyed the experience and look forward to hopefully seeing them on the beach again in future.”
For more information about Rame Peninsula Beach Care, forthcoming beach cleans and other activities, please see the group’s Facebook page, visit www.ramepbc.org or call 01752 823308.
