Team members from Sharp’s Brewery joined Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) at the weekend the final mile of the biggest and most active beach clean campaign.
Celebrating the completion of a million miles of beach cleaning at the weekend
To maximise support for the campaign, the Sharp’s team is also packaging up 100 Atlantic Clean Up Pods, which will be sent to Atlantic Pale Ale customers across the UK over the next few months. These consist of branded litter pickers, reusable bags, and hand sanitiser, which customers can utilise to conduct their own regular beach cleans and litter picks.
In recent years, Sharp’s Atlantic Pale Ale has supported an extensive number of popular beach cleans across different areas of Cornwall, including the National Trust’s Holywell Bay, Falmouth’s Greenbank beach, and Polzeath, one of the most local beaches to the brewery.
Those who attended on Sunday came from various of Sharp’s business divisions, including marketing, finance and brewing, demonstrating that where Cornwall’s beaches are concerned, everyone is unified, regardless of job roles and responsibilities.
Sharp’s brought their mobile beer truck with them, which was outside The Seiners Arms serving participants over the age of 18 a free taste of Sharp’s Atlantic Pale Ale at the end of the clean, as a great big thanks for their efforts.
The Million Mile Clean is a new campaign developed by SAS which connects beach cleaning action throughout the year and has a target of getting 100,000 volunteers walking ten miles while cleaning the places they love.
After more than a year of isolation, social distancing, and reduced physical activity, the Million Mile Clean reconnects communities with the environment, while promoting the benefits of volunteering for both mental health and physical wellbeing.
Grabbing a beer after the beach clean
James Nicholls, marketing controller at Sharp’s Brewery, said: “I speak on behalf of the team when I saw how delighted we were to support the final mile of the Million Mile Beach Clean over the weekend. It was inspirational to see so many out in force, despite the rather undesirable weather conditions!
“With our brewery situated so near the coast in Rock, Cornwall, taking care of our beaches and coastline is really important to us. We are always considering ways in which we can continue to protect the coast and are keen to conduct more Sharp’s Brewery specific beach cleans in the future. Wherever possible, we’re adding to our ongoing support of SAS with activities such as this.”
Hugo Tagholm, chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage, added: “The Million Mile Clean has now become the biggest volunteer activation to help protect some of the country’s best beaches, inspiring tens of thousands of people to take action to protect the ocean. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support, particularly from local Cornish communities, who have led the beach clean effort at so many special stretches of coastline.
“It was brilliant to have Sharp’s Brewery supporting us and contributing both financially and in person to our biggest, collective beach clean yet. We hit the millionth mile this weekend at Perranporth as our movement continues to grow, protecting beaches from plastic pollution and other waste so people and wildlife can thrive on our shores.”
• Sharp’s has contributed more than £30,000 to support the work of Cornwall Council with beach awards since 2015.
