Get involved in the first ever M&S Big Beach Clean-up
Marks & Spencer (M&S) is encouraging its customers to sign-up to become big beach cleaners and help the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) clean Britain's beaches and protect our seas.
The first ever M&S Big Beach Clean-up, organised by the MCS, will take place between Friday 11th May and Sunday 13th May and the aim will be to stop common items such as fishing nets, ropes and bottles tops polluting our beaches and seas.
Younger customers can get involved with free beach activity packs, rock pooling rambling and be on the lookout for unexpected items. Previous MCS beach cleans have found unusual items such as bicycles, rubber ducks and superhero outfits.
It's hoped that thousands of people will roll-up their sleeves and clean 50 beaches across the UK. Customers that register in advance at www.mcsuk.org/foreverfish will receive a money-off at M&S voucher* and will get some free M&S snacks on the day of the clean.
At six specially selected beaches there's an extra incentive to get involved. There will be a free barbecue and kids' games organised by the National Schools Partnership. Locations include Clacton-On-Sea, Hazelbank near Belfast and Cramond near Edinburgh.
Richard Gillies, Director of Plan A, M&S' eco and ethical programme, said: “Our customers care passionately about where their food comes from, especially fish. We only source from the most sustainable sources, but this is something more, this is our chance to get out onto beaches with our customers and take direct action to help protect marine life and our coastline.”
Samantha Fanshaw, MCS Chief Executive, said: "MCS surveys have shown that litter levels are unacceptably high. We are delighted that M&S staff and customers recognise the importance of clean seas and beaches and will be joining forces with us in this major event to help turn the tide on litter."
The M&S Big Beach Clean-up is part of M&S' Forever Fish campaign which is funded by the 5p carrier bag charge in M&S foodhalls. Since its introduction in 2008, the charge has reduced carrier bag use by 80 per cent and raised over £4 million for charity.
Customers can find out more www.marksandspencer.com/plana and follow the event on twitter (@marksandspencer or search #beachclean) and facebook (www.facebook.com/marksandspencer).
Notes to Editors
Voucher
* £5 off a £25 spend on food and drink at any M&S store (excluding BP stores and valid for one month).
M&S employees
M&S employees will also be getting involved in the Big Beach Clean-up. Over 100 beaches in addition to the 50 that customers will be cleaning with the MCS will be cleaned by M&S employees from stores and offices up and down the country.
Full list of event beaches
- Clacton-On-Sea;
- Sand Bay (Weston-Super-Mare);
- West Kirby (near Liverpool);
- Hazelbank (near Belfast);
- Shoreham-By-Sea;
- Cramond (Edinburgh).
Forever Fish
Forever Fish is funded by the 5p carrier bag charge in M&S Foodhalls and over the next three years M&S will:
- Set-up and run ‘School of Fish', an education programme to inspire 400,000 primary school pupils to learn more about protecting the future of fish;
- Encourage as many of M&S' 21 million customers and 78,000 employees as possible to help the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) clean over 400 British beaches, twice a year;
- Invest over £1 million in WWF projects that help better manage UK fish stocks, such as cod, and protect important species like dolphins and turtles;
- Help customers make healthy and more sustainable choices by promoting more high quality, sustainably-sourced fish and introducing lesser known and more plentiful species such as Dab and Flounder.
The Marine Conservation Society
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK charity dedicated to protecting our seas, shores and wildlife. MCS campaigns for clean seas and beaches, sustainable fisheries, and protection of marine life. Through education, community involvement and collaboration, MCS raises awareness of the many threats that face our seas and promotes individual, industry and government action to protect the marine environment. MCS produces the annual Good Beach Guide, the Good Fish Guide and Fishonline on sustainable seafood, as well as involving thousands of volunteers in projects and surveys such as MCS Beachwatch and The Big Beach Clean-up. http://www.mcsuk.org/.
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Further information
Daniel Himsworth, Marks & Spencer Press Office, 0208 718 1618
Marine Conservation Society: Richard Harrington, 01989 561585
2012 Sustainability