West Kirby Beach is a Wirral coastline landmark. And, for many across the region and beyond, it’s a go-to spot for staying active.
As one of Wirral’s five designated bathing water sites, this blue space is a massive community asset.
Recently, it also became the focal point for a brilliant community event. To celebrate the journey of the King’s Baton Relay, Team England co-hosted a beach clean alongside Surfers Against Sewage.
The MSP team and its partners at British Triathlon, Swim England, Clean Water Sports Alliance, Active Wirral, the Liverpool City Council Major Events Team, and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority were proud to get involved, pitching in alongside volunteers, including former Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds and former Secretary of State for Environment Caroline Spelman, to help protect the environment we all rely on to stay active.
The King’s Baton Relay is currently on a 500-day journey to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. As part of that journey, it is shining a light on the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign.
The ambition is massive. The campaign aims to bring athletes and communities together to prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth oceans and waterways.
By journeying through every Commonwealth nation and territory, the relay is sparking a global conversation about ocean conservation.
We know that physical activity improves our health. More than that though, it also connects us to our environment.
When we use our local blue spaces for leisure or exercise, it’s natural that we want to look after them. The West Kirby beach clean was a perfect example of this in action.
It showed how a major sporting milestone can inspire grassroots community action. By linking the Games with environmental care, sport led the way, ultimately proving that the health of our communities and the health of our local environment are deeply linked.
This event is part of a much bigger conversation for our region and its organisations.
At MSP, we are currently working to help finalise the Liverpool City Region Environmental Sustainability plan. The goal of this work, when published, will be to make lasting positive change to the planet, people, and place, with movement, physical activity, and sport as a regenerative force that helps to enhance the conditions for our planet to thrive.
Moments like this beach clean are an important part of that work. They remind us of the grassroots reality: that we already have passionate, active communities ready to champion our local environments.
By caring for our natural spaces, we ensure they remain safe, welcoming places for people to get active for generations to come.
A huge thank you to Team England for hosting this inspiring initiative, and to Geely Auto UK, their Official Automotive Partner and lead sponsor.
We also want to recognise the marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage. They supported Team England in organising the beach clean, bringing brilliant community expertise to the day.
Thank you again to our brilliant partners at British Triathlon, Swim England, Clean Water Sports Alliance, Active Wirral, and the Liverpool City Council Major Events Team, and to every single volunteer who rolled up their sleeves and got involved.
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