Pictured at the Big Beach Clean weekend at Portavogie is Jodie McAneaney, from Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, Gillian Shields, Community Investment Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland and comedian Colin Murphy.  Supported by Coca Cola, the Big Beach Clean called on all beach lovers to head down and do their bit to keep our coast clean.

Hundreds of Volunteers take to beaches across Northern Ireland for the annual clean up

The Big Beach Clean saw over 400 volunteers and Coca–Cola employees across the island of Ireland taking part in one of its most ambitious volunteering initiatives to date. Over 40 volunteers participated in Portavogie alone including representatives from Ards and North Down Borough Council, CEDaR, Portavogie Regeneration Group, plus Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership, with additional clean-ups taking place in Magilligan Point, Co. Derry/Londonderry and Tyrella, Co. Down.

The important message behind the Big Beach Clean was brought to listeners with live broadcasts from Cool FM at Portavogie with coastal champion and comedian Colin Murphy also contributing to the effort on the day, encouraging members of the public of get involved and play their part.

Jodie McAneaney Live Here Love Here Manager at Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful comments:  “It’s important we educate people on protecting our marine life and our coastline – it’s such a crucial part of our environment and also our heritage here in Northern Ireland.  Something we should be proud to take great care of.”

Coca‑Cola HBC General Manager, Matthieu Seguin said, "This initiative is part of Coca‑Cola’s vision for a World Without Waste. We are working hard to design more sustainable packaging and to ensure all our packaging is collected appropriately. We’re also using the power of our brands, and platforms like the Big Beach Clean to show our leadership and inspire consumers to recycle and keep our environment litter-free." 

The Big Beach Clean, organised by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s Clean Coast programme has the backing of the International Ocean Conservancy, making it a part of the world’s largest coastal clean-up event.  The initiative marks a further milestone for Coca-Cola’s long-running partnership with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. In June, Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week mobilised a record 3,900 volunteers at over 200 coastal clean-ups across the island of Ireland.  Information on key events for Northern Ireland can be found on www.liveherelovehere.org.