Residents tackle beach clean-up
Locals pitch in to help with monthly beach clean-up started by Mt Edgecombe resident, Jacqui Le Roux.
A MODEST turnout did not deter local resident Jacqui Le Roux from her monthly clean-up at Beachwood Beach on Saturday morning. The Mt Edgecombe resident was joined by several volunteers who lent a helping hand to not only keep the beaches clean but also raise environmental awareness.
In June this year the 29-year-old began her own Beach Clean-Up KwaZulu-Natal initiative. In the past few months, Le Roux’s campaign has been hampered by rainy weather, but the conditions on Saturday were pristine.
“I’d love to see more people involved of course but the committment from the volunteers today has been fantastic. The bigger aspect of this is keeping our beaches and rivers clean. I hope to not only do a monthly clean-up but also raise awareness on the importance of marine ecosystems and particularly reserves like the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve and the part they play for wildlife,” she said.
Le Roux began her mission during her morning runs along the beach.
“There are always beer bottles smashed on the rocks, fishing lines and other rubbish littering the beach, so I began taking bags with me and would clean up along my route. I feel if you want to make a difference you have to be the difference as well. Now I hope to spread the word and get more people involved,” she said.
