The Paddle Peak River Clean Team have been out again this week. The local community paddlesports charity deep cleaned the banks of the River Derwent between Ambergate and Belper River Gardens. The volunteers were joined by Surfers Against Sewage, the national water quality and environmental charity and British Canoeing.
The river clean was part of the SAS Million Mile Clean, where local communities all over the country have removed waste and plastic from more than a million miles of the UK’ beaches and river banks. This incredible clean up goal was realised this week in Perranporth.
The waste removed included litter, plastic bottles, cans, glass bottles, chip traps, agricultural waste, mainly hay bale wrap and feed buckets, sewage waste including wet wipes and sanitary items, road cones, garden furniture and even a small kids bike!
Pete Astles. Paddle Peak founder and trustee commented: “ Another great day out on our local river, caring for our environment and protecting it’s wildlife. It was so great to be part of the SAS Million Mile Clean. We are really excited that the million and one mile of river bank and beaches cleaned this year by volunteers all over the country was pretty much right here on the River Derwent in Belper!! What an amazing national effort. Well done everyone.“
Neil Cutts from SAS added: “ As a regional rep for Surfers Against Sewage in the Midlands area, its amazing to see the hard work that’s going on, in and around the Derwent, river cleans are an integral part of keeping our waterways, seas and oceans clean. It was a pleasure to join Paddle Peak and add even more miles to our Million Mile Clean and we look forward to working together in the future.”
Chantelle Grundy from British Canoeing Clear Access Clear Waters agreed: “It was fantastic to meet so many local paddlers volunteering their time to remove plastic pollution and junk from the River Derwent. I was surprised to find lots of polythene entwined in the branches of the trees overhanging the river, however from the canoes we were able to remove what we could see of it, before it had chance to break down further and be carried out to sea.
Many thanks to all of the Paddle Peak volunteers for all their hard work protecting our environment and it’s wildlife, Hou Canoes for supplying the Derwent Warrior boats, the team at Surfers Against Sewage and British Canoeing for joining us, Amber Valley Borough Council for collecting the rubbish, Belper Town Council for their continued support and the Hurts Arms in Ambergate for helping us with river access.
For more information about Paddle Peak and it’s work in the Derwent Valley checkout www.paddlepeak.org