FRIENDS of Redcar (FRED) organisers remained upbeat after having to cancel their organised events this Sunday due to the pandemic rules.

They celebrated their 7th anniversary with a controlled event along Redcar’s “Riviera” seafront which, helped raise awareness of men’s mental health group ‘Walk N Talk’.

FRED were due to host their sixth Great British Beach Clean event at Majuba beach collecting all the litter found as part of a national drive to lobby government regarding environment, recycling, packaging, process and legislation.

They had also planned to carry out their second annual ‘Nurdle hunt’ for families, providing education regarding the micro-plastics found at Redcar and on the majority of beaches around the world.

However, new rules around Covid-19 with a maximum limit of six people being allowed to meet meant logistically, to remain lawful and safe, would have been too difficult for an event expected to gather over a hundred volunteers.

Carl Quartermain, Friends of Redcar Organiser said: “We had arranged this year’s event over three weeks in September to encircle the South Gare from Warrenby to the Teesmouth and back up along the beach to Majuba in Redcar. We did manage to clear some significant fly tipping, in total seven wagon loads, but we had to scale back this weekend to comply with the pandemic rules with too short notice to arrange invitations and organise volunteers to register to a platform, then stagger and manage their involvement throughout the day.

“We therefore cancelled these organised events but encouraged friends and families to still come to the beach, remain within their own bubbles and to help themselves to our litter picking equipment. We had also organised a three mile walk from the South Gare to Majuba in association with the Walk n Talk men’s mental health group and decided to manage this with a maximum number of six.

“Joined by a Cleveland Land Services tractor and trailer organised by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council we took off from the green fishing huts at 9.30am on Sunday morning and walked along the Redcar Riviera arriving with a full trailer at Majuba Car Park just over three hours later at 12.45pm. It was a misty and wet walk but with warm company it brightened up as the six of us pushed through to collect as much of the waste materials we found on the way.

“Along the way we cleaned up all kinds including fishing equipment including ropes and lines, crates and barrels and lobster pots. There was a lot of plastic in a variety of forms such as balloons, bags, wrapping, plastic bottles and sanitary items. We also found lots of tyres, BBQ’s and masonry and bricks.

“Walk n Talk have been running since February 2020 and is organised by Gareth Howell who has done a fantastic job bringing awareness to isolation, depression and suicide with men who can find it difficult to express emotions. Walking together and talking with someone in a safe sociable setting is key to supporting these issues which are more common than realised. I myself find litter picking is very good therapy, escape from heavy workloads and a great way to meet new people and to bring people together.

“I applaud the work Gareth is doing and would recommend this group to anyone who might be feeling lost and vulnerable or simply lonely and would like to meet and chat with others and hopefully improve the quality of their life.

“Thank you to, Gary Hogan, Ryan Durnall, Ian Cuthbert, John Watters and Gareth Howell for joining me to support our environment and home and for bringing attention and support to men not used to talking about their mental health issues. Thank you also to all those who came out this weekend and throughout the year, often quietly picking up litter for the love of their home towns.”