Les Amis Big Beach Clean [Rescheduled due to weather]

This event has been rescheduled to Friday 29th September, 12pm-3pm.

Join the Les Amis Big Beach Clean at St Ouen’s Bay.

Les Amis is marking this year’s Marine Conservation Society’s Big British Beach Clean Week with its own fundraising beach clean in St Ouen’s Bay this Friday.

The charity, which supports islanders with learning disabilities, is hosting the Les Amis Big Beach Clean 2023 on Friday 22nd September between 4pm and 7pm at Le Braye.

The money raised is vital for supporting the work of Les Amis. Each participant will receive a bucket, gloves and refreshments, including handmade pizzas which will be freshly baked on the beach, and there will be games, competitions and prizes.

Shaun Findlay, Managing Director of Les Amis, said: “Beach cleans are a fantastic way to bring people together and I am delighted that through the support of Ogier, some of our residents, services users and their family and support workers will be able take part. Sustainability is a core part of our charity. Some of our residents and service users are members of our oil recycling team.

“This sustainable social enterprise offers them paid employment for collecting used cooking oil from hospitality businesses which is then filtered and sold on to make biofuel. I hope that as many islanders as possible support us and make an evening of doing their bit to keep Jersey’s beaches clean.”

The charity will once again be supported by Plastic Free Jersey who worked with Les Amis at its Ouaisne beach clean on World Environment Day this June. They will be contributing their knowledge and making it fun with Beach Clean Bingo and demonstrating their popular plastic filtration machine, the ‘Nurdle-ator.’

Sheena Brockie, Founder of Plastic Free Jersey, added: “Our beaches look clean but even here, plastic and other items can build up so it’s important that we all play our part in removing what we see. The Nurdle-ator is a really useful way of showing people how much hidden plastic there is on our beaches and in the marine environment as it sifts the plastic from the sand and pebbles.

“Nurdles, which are about the size of a lentil, collect in the sand and we use the machine to show people what’s under their feet every time they visit the beach. We love working with Les Amis and I hope islanders come out and help us keep St Ouen’s Bay clear of plastic and other rubbish.”

Nicola Carroll, Ogier’s CSR Manager, remarked: “We’re thrilled to support Les Amis in this fundraising beach clean that brings islanders and the charity’s residents, services users and support workers together to do something meaningful in our community. We’re fortunate in Jersey to be surrounded by beautiful beaches and it’s important that we all help to preserve our natural resources and protect local marine life. We hope that the event not only contributes to the efforts of the Marine Conservation Society’s Big British Beach Clean Week, but also raises much need funds for Les Amis who provide exceptional and essential services to adults in Jersey with learning disabilities.”