4 minute read
Amazing news - Cal Major has been recognised with the Point Of Light Award by the Prime Minister for the work that she does to raise awareness of plastic pollution.
Cal is currently travelling the length of Great Britain on a paddle board as part of her campaign to highlight the effects of plastic pollution in our seas. During her 1000 mile route from Land’s End to John O’Groats, Cal is collecting plastic waste and calling in at some of the nation's beaches to take part in community beach cleans. Through her stand up paddleboarding adventures, Cal's message is to ‘Paddle Against Plastic’ and she aims to capture people's imagination around the issue of plastic pollution in our oceans and inland waterways.
Cal helps to promote simple solutions people can easily be a part of, such as carrying a reusable water bottle to cut down on consumption of single-use plastics. In 2017 Cal became the first person to circumnavigate the Isle of Skye on a paddle board and was featured in a short film ‘Skye’s the Limit’ which documented her battle through discarded plastics to show that even remote areas are badly affected by this waste.
Cal is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements. This week, to coincide with World Oceans Day on Friday 8 June, the Prime Minister is recognising outstanding volunteers whose work is making a real difference to ocean conservation efforts.
In a personal letter to Cal, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“By paddling over 1,000 miles along the coastline of the UK while collecting litter and participating in beach clean-ups, you are highlighting the devastating impact plastic pollution is having on our environment. You should feel very proud of how ‘Paddle Against Plastic’ is bringing attention to the important issue of ocean conservation and capturing people’s imaginations with action they can easily take to play their part.”
Cal said:
“I'm so honoured to have been awarded the Prime Minister's Point of Light award, especially on World Oceans Day, it really means so much to be recognised, and for my voluntary work to be recognised in this way. I'm currently stand-up paddleboarding a thousand miles from Land's End to John O'Groats, unsupported, it's a never-been-done-before journey, to raise awareness of the plastic pollution the whole length of the UK. There's so much more work still to be done, but there's also so much positive stuff happening. It's a problem we can all be part of the solution for, and all be proud really proud to be part of the solution. So thank you so much for the award, it really means so much. Let's all keep fighting the good fight and solve the problem of plastic pollution together.”
Cal is the 922nd winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Over 6,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and former Presidents have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar cross-party approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards.
Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Points of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.
Published on June 08, 2018