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Volunteers helping out at Banna last Sunday.
THE cold weather didn’t deter the enthusiastic volunteers that turned up to clean Banna Beach on Sunday, in time for Christmas.
A fantastic turnout with roughly 20 volunteers with lots of little helpers too, braved the elements in an effort to help keep the coastline free of litter. The beach, the carpark and approach road were blitzed between 11 and 12pm.
Rachel Geary of Banna Coastcare said: “Sunday’s cleanup improves the appearance of our coastline and perhaps most importantly raises awareness with the younger generations’’.
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Their efforts were rewarded by Salty Souls Cafe who generously gave every young volunteer a hot chocolate.
The Clean Coast group is eagerly awaiting the results of the Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Awards that take place this Thursday in Dublin, where they have been shortlisted for two of the categories.
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Brian, Abby and Chloe Stephenson helping out at Banna last Sunday.
Volunteers of Banna Coastcare, Abby and Chloe Stephenson have been shortlisted in the Youth of the Year category. While teachers and students of Presentation Secondary School have been shortlisted in the Event of the Year category.
Rachel Geary wished all the nominees the very best of luck, in particular, our very own superheroes Abby and Chloe Stephenson.
“We are over the moon to see these two sisters being recognised by Clean Coasts for all their hard work in helping to keep our coastline beautiful. They have been joining Banna Coastcare events since it was set up back in 2014, not only do they join the cleanup events on Banna, but they also pick litter from every beach they visit. We are also thrilled to see the great work done by Transition Year students and teachers of Presentation Secondary School Tralee being recognised by Clean Coasts. Back in April, they spent a day with Banna Coastcare planting marram grass and restoring and area of the dunes that has become seriously eroded and their efforts didn’t go unnoticed. The Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Awards recognise the incredible impact of environmental champions and their dedication to preserving our oceans.”
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Volunteers helping out at Banna last Sunday.
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Volunteers helping out at Banna last Sunday.
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Some of the rubbish collected at Banna last Sunday.
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