Ullapool Sea Savers scoop up award from North Highland Initiative to help 'Children at Work' clean-up campaign

THE trailblazing clean-up work of a can-do group of young Wester Ross environmental campaigners has been recognised with a milestone award from an initiative set-up by Prince Charles.

A support fund launched to help local communities in the North Highlands during the coronavirus pandemic has helped 50 initiatives to the tune of £45,000 since its inception in March.

The North Highland Initiative’s programme was established to provide grants of up to £1000 for small organisations in the education, conservation, community service and support sectors .

Marine conservation charity Ullapool Sea Savers are the 50th successful recipient. The community group was set up in response to the inspirational work of the Scottish Wildlife Trusts’ Living Seas Project, engaging people in the value of the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area.

Vital funding was needed to provide PPE and road signs for volunteers. The support will allow local children to continue their work in keeping Ullapool and the surrounding area clean from rubbish and preventing litter and waste from ending up in the sea.

Janis Patterson of USS said:"Bagging up the rubbish has made us realise that a lot of plastics and other rubbish can be dropped without thinking, but once washed down to the sea, these may be in our environment for many, many years and possibly contribute to harming wildlife and nature - as well as spoiling the marine environment for locals and visitors alike.We hope the kids' efforts to protect their environment will send out a message to others, and especially adults, that we all need to work together to ensure our beautiful part of the world is looked after and continues to make it a great place to both live and visit for our futures and the futures of generations to come."

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