At Sea-Changers we are so fortunate to have some amazing people raising money for our grants programmes. Whether it is running a marathon, cycling across whole countries, walking the UK Coastline or climbing mountains, we are constantly inspired. And now we have some new fundraisers…Pippa and David. So let us fill you in on what they are up to.
Pippa, David, and their boat cat, Opie have set themselves a fantastic fundraising challenge. They are currently sailing right around the UK in their 28-ft yacht, Sudana and have committed to least one hour of litter picking at each port. Along the way they will also aim to meet up with some of the fantastic projects and organisations Sea-Changers have supported over the years, to find out what's being done to protect our coasts and seas.
Throughout their journey, Pippa and David (and Opie) will be keeping you updated on their Just Giving Page and also on their Instagram page to let us all know where they are, how their litter picking went, and what they found in each place visited. They are also going to share ways you can get involved with local charities striving to improve our beaches, waterways, and more, and some of the stories they hear on their travels.
Pippa and David started their journey in July 2023 in Emsworth, Hampshire. They then visited Brighton, Newhaven, Eastbourne, Dover, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Burnham-on-Crouch, Sheerness, the Medway Yacht Club, Erith, London, Queenborough, and Brightlingsea, before settling in Ipswich for the winter.
Pippa said:
“During our time in Ipswich, we realised that we wanted to get more out of our travels and give back to the local and wider communities. We started doing good deeds with Good Gym, and thinking more generally about how we wanted to spend our time and what we should do to make our lap of the UK more meaningful and beneficial - both to ourselves and to the wider world. Then, what started as a throwaway comment, "We should work with a charity", became a concrete idea. And one that we couldn't believe we hadn't thought of sooner!
Travelling on a sailboat couldn't put us closer to the sea, and even in the 5 years we've been living aboard, we've noticed a decline in dolphin sightings and the changes in the water and shorelines. We also noticed that (second to town/city centres) anywhere near the water seems to be a hot spot for litter; something that's so easy to fix, yet most people just walk on by.
But although we knew we wanted to partner with a marine charity, we also knew that we wanted to do more than simply fundraise and litter pick. So, when we met with the co-founders of Sea Changers and heard more about the projects and partner charities they'd funded, it felt like the perfect match. A way of us giving back, challenging ourselves, and also having the opportunity to learn (as well as do) more as we travel around the UK.
So, a partnership was born. And we're so excited to see where it takes us.”
Over the next months Pippa and David will be heading north, towards Scotland and through the Caledonian Canals, before turning back South. They anticipate complete their lap of the UK sometime in 2026. To keep up with their fundraising adventures click here.