Decathlon is backing Paddle UK's Big Paddle Cleanup campaign with Planet Patrol to safeguard their local environment.
The sporting goods retailer aligns with the campaign this spring for communities to rally on the waters, ensuring an eco-friendly locale.
On June 1, Southampton is set to host this year's event at the Eling Tide Mill from 9am-12pm and 3pm-6pm.
Tickets are obtainable for a mere £5 and all generated proceeds will be donated to Planet Patrol, a non-profit environmental organization.
Ticket holders are assured of a kayak or paddleboard, buoyancy aids and litter picking kits, presenting an ideal paddling day on the waters. Participants must be aged 18 and over.
However, simultaneous litter-picking events on land encourage family involvement. Paddlers will also receive a goody bag comprising a waterproof phone case, 500 Decathlon points and a 20 per cent discount voucher on Decathlon rental items.
Big Paddle Cleanup, now in its third year, has seen steady growth. Notably, approximately 3,000 attendees last year helped collect 1,800 large sacks of garbage.
Becky Lillico, Decathlon UK sustainability team, said: "At Decathlon, we believe in the wonder of sports to form collective action that makes a difference. The Big Paddle Clean Up isn't just about enjoying our beautiful waterways, it's about raising awareness for their health and sustainability.
"These events encourage us to interact with our environment in a responsible way and foster a deeper appreciation for the UK's waterways. We can help ensure these resources are preserved for future generations by promoting a clean, safe, and accessible environment.”
Lizzie Carr MBE, founder of Planet Patrol, said: "Over the past seven years, more than 50,000 people have been involved in community action through Planet Patrol initiatives, recording over half a million pieces of litter and water quality readings in the Planet Patrol app.
"Our waterways are in a critical state, and there's never been a more important time to act. Working collaboratively with Decathlon and Paddle UK is a great opportunity to galvanise more people to take action and help protect our precious waterways."
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