Surfers riding crest of a wave after cash windfall

SAS volunteers celebrate their cash award.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) ha received the cash from the People’s Postcode Trust, which it will now use to expand its network of conservation volunteers.

The funds were realised by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and will allow SAS to extend its current team of regional representatives to a further 50 beaches and coastal locations, expanding the network to now include 125 communities.

SAS covers some of the country’s most iconic beaches and surf spots, working at a grassroots level on local conservation issues and activities such as beach cleans, through to promoting national campaigns and environmental initiatives.

The team of Regional Reps converges regularly for training and community events, joining marine conservation experts, charity professionals, activists and industry leaders to gain the knowledge they need to protect the beaches they represents.

They also take a holistic approach to the protection of their local areas delivering citizen science projects, undertaking community surveys and running education and advocacy work with schools, colleges and community groups.

Their efforts have helped to mobilise more than 15,000 beach clean volunteers in the last year alone, inform thousands of school children on the latest threats to our marine environment and engage communities on issues from marine litter to climate change.

Hugo Tagholm, SAS chief executive said: “Surfers Against Sewage is delighted to be able to expand our network of marine conservation volunteers thanks to the generous support of The People’s Postcode Lottery. The Regional Reps programme has without a doubt been one of our biggest successes and gives us a truly national voice and strength to protect waves, oceans and beaches for everyone, everywhere.”

Clara Govier, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, added: “We are thrilled that our players are supporting Surfers Against Sewage in their quest to protect our beautiful and invaluable coastlines around the country.”

Further information about SAS can be found at www.sas.org.uk, by e-mailing Regional Reps co-ordinator Jack Middleton at [email protected] or telephoning 01872 553001.