An environmentalist known as Wildlife Gadget Man was “shocked” by the appalling state of one of Suffolk’s best-known seaside resorts – after visiting it during a marathon beach clean.
Jason Alexander completed his six-day “rubbish walk” along the Suffolk coast on Saturday in a bid to raise awareness about plastic pollution while supporting The Brain Tumour Charity.
The award-winning blogger said he completed the challenge with “mixed emotions”.
While some of the beaches he visited were found to be cleaner than anticipated, Felixstowe ended his journey on a sour note.
“I was thrilled to be finishing the marathon but I was also terribly shocked by the state of Felixstowe beach,” he said.
“The Felixstowe Ferry end was not too bad but by the time you got as far as Manning’s [amusement park] it was just shocking.
“There was a lot of rubbish that seemed to be from holidaymakers or day-trippers, such as nappies and general rubbish, but also lots of fishing lines and hooks.”
Mr Alexander said he had been helped to clean the beach by two boys and horrified to discover a large hook that could have easily cut their feet.
Setting off from Lowestoft last Monday, Mr Alexander aimed to highlight the global problem caused by plastic waste. While he was encouraged by the state of the beach, the “gale-force winds and torrential rain” were less welcome. Weather continued to be a problem on day two as he headed south along the coast.
On Wednesday, the sunshine returned – and Mr Alexander found more to celebrate in Southwold.
“Out of all the beaches I visited, I was most pleasantly surprised by Southwold,” he said.
Along his journey, Mr Alexander left three #2minutebeachclean stations – A-boards stocked with equipment to help people carry out their own beach clean, which were launched as part of a national campaign.
He has also supported the Brain Tumour Charity, having been inspired to undertake the challenge by his friend Matt Bayfield.
Mr Bayfield, who is one half of the Broadside Boys folk duo, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2012, but has raised £20,000 for charity.
Visit Rubbish Walks to find out more. Visit Just Giving to donate.
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