Montrose RNLI marks World Environment day with beach clean

The initiative saw several members of the station taking part, including volunteers from the lifeboat crew, launch authorities, fundraisers and shop volunteers, all working together to help protect the local coastline and marine environment. Several volunteers were also joined by partners, children and even some of their four-legged furry friends for the clean-up effort.

The litter pick focused on the same area where crew members had previously attended a clean-up on 5 April, organised by Deputy Coxswain and Helm Richie Bandeen. While many volunteers had taken part in the earlier effort, the sheer volume of rubbish left scattered across the beach meant the team eventually ran out of refuse sacks and were only able to carry away a limited amount of waste.

With a significant amount of litter still remaining, volunteers decided to return to the area as part of their World Environment day activities.

As well as removing rubbish from the beach itself, volunteers also collected large amounts of litter along the walk from the lifeboat station to the beach.

Montrose RNLI would like to extend a big thank you to the Montrose Urban Gorillas (MUGS) community team, who kindly loaned litter pickers and rubbish bag hoops to support the clean-up effort. Their generosity helped make the event possible and was greatly appreciated by everyone involved.

Richie Bandeen, lifeboat crew member for Montrose RNLI, said:

‘Nobody likes to see littered beaches, especially in such a beautiful area enjoyed by so many people, families and visitors. As volunteers who spend so much of our time at sea and around the coastline, we regularly see the dangers rubbish can pose to marine life, birds and other local wildlife.

‘Discarded plastics, fishing waste and general rubbish can seriously harm animals through entanglement or ingestion. It was fantastic to see so many volunteers, along with their families and dogs, giving up their time to help make a difference and keep our local beach clean.’

Montrose RNLI is encouraging members of the public to dispose of litter responsibly and help protect the coastline and wildlife for everyone to enjoy.

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Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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