Mayo woman and group win top places at Clean Coast’s Ocean Hero Awards

Mayo had two winners at the Clean Coast’s Ocean Hero Awards 2021.

Mairead Staunton and the Keep Our Beaches Clean group placed first in the Individual of the Year and Beach Clean Bubble Award categories respectively.

The Ocean Hero Awards honour the invaluable contribution Clean Coasts volunteers, groups and communities have made towards conserving our spectacular coastline.

It has been an unusual year, and, like everyone, Clean Coasts and their volunteers have had to adapt. The continued support, engagement, and interest from the many Clean Coasts volunteers around the country has been outstanding, showing dedication and resilience through testing times.

Mairead Staunton, who participates often with the group Keep Our Beaches Clean, was awarded the Individual of the Year Award, which acknowledges people who initiate change and inspire others to do more to protect and conserve their coastline.

When discussing her clean-up efforts over the last year, Mairead said: “After the start of lockdown last year, I and a number of friends began taking a swim in the sea at 8 a.m. every morning. I started litter picking along the beach, a little every day. Soon some of the other swimmers joined her it has now become a daily habit.

“As time has passed, the litter problem has decreased. There are still days when there is plenty to pick up but generally the careless behaviour is not what it was.”

The overall Keep Our Beaches Clean group won first place in the Beach Clean Bubble Award category. The Beach Clean Bubble Award acknowledges new and established Clean Coasts groups made up of close family and friends who banded together during lock-down to look after their local waterway or coastline.