Grandmother Spends Entire Year Cleaning Trash Off 52 Beaches

January 17, 2019

A woman has spent an entire year cleaning trash off of 52 British beaches after making a New Year's resolution to clean one sandy bay each week.

grandmother cleans beaches
Pat Smith / Photo credit: SWNS.com

Pat Smith, 70, spent all of 2018 on Devon and Cornwall's beaches – armed with trash bags, rubber gloves and a litter picker.

"Doing 52 beach cleans in 2018 was my New Year's Resolution and it's finally done," Smith said.

But she has no intention of stopping now.

"I won't stop as our beaches need me."

grandmother cleans beaches
Pat Smith / Photo credit: SWNS.com

Smith, who also runs a bed and breakfast, hopes that her efforts will help people become more aware of their plastic consumption and recycling habits.

"A lot of the rubbish I have picked up consists of everyday items. These things are used by all of us and it is shocking to find them polluting our beautiful beaches," Smith said.

"I'm driven to try and protect our living planet for my children and grandchildren and I will continue to do everything in my power to achieve that."