Botany Bay mum turns litter-picking into fundraiser for RNLI

A Thanet mum-of-two has turned litter-picking finds into vital funds for the RNLI.

Dane Court teacher Sophie Hills saw the litter on Botany Bay, close to her home, over the half term and decided to take action.

As well as collecting bags of rubbish, Sophie also unearthed  items including a BBQ still in its box, bucket and spade sets, a sunshade tent and assorted beach games, shoes, sun breakers and more.

Instead of disposing of the items, Sophie fixed and cleaned them and then sold them at bargain prices with the cash going to the RNLI.

Sophie said: “I have two young children and take them there (Botany Bay) most mornings and it was starting to become dangerous with buried disposable BBQs and bottle tops.  So, each evening I went out and litter picked.

“I collected lots of black sacks of rubbish in my trusty trolley and then also found lots of personal items left to be washed into the sea. I took them home, cleaned/fixed them, and put them outside my house the next day to be sold for very cheap prices with all money going to RNLI.

“I chose RNLI as there have been a number of instances recently when the RNLI have had to respond to incidents on the beach.”

Across the half term Sophie raised almost £100 with more items still for sale.

She said: “My aim is not to be angry or miserable about the litter or to judge – I’m a mum and know how easy it is to leave your kids things at the beach – but to do something about it, creating a safe space for my kids to explore and raise a little money in the meantime.

“Most items were 50p but larger items such as a new BBQ that had been left abandoned in its box with only the grill used (I cleaned it up and built it as was still in its flat pack packaging) sold for £10 and a new sun shade tent which also sold for £10.

“I posted in the group each evening that I headed out and asked if anyone wanted to join and on two occasions, I was joined by grandparents and their two grandchildren.  She had been telling them about what I was doing and they suggested going down the beach to help. It turns out it was one of the students I teach, much to his surprise and mine! A local mum and her two children also joined.

“It was really lovely to meet people, lots of people were very thankful and encouraging and supportive.”

Sophie said she s going to keep litter-picking and is hoping even more people will join her.

She said: “I’m going to keep it going when days are busy at the beach, especially in the summer, and hope to get a group together to create a way for people to socialise and do something for the community.”