Anyone who has seen BluePlanet, Sky News' Ocean Rescue or spends time at the beach will know the scourge that plastics are doing to our environment. Through poor fishing techniquies and single use plastics this damage is having a serious affect on our planets reefs and the local communities they support: tourisum and fisheries.

I will be spending three months out in Southeast Asia and whilst out on this larl jolly, I thought about volunteering and what better way to spend my time than cleaning a reef of plastic waste! So this funding project is to help cover my costs and extend the time I can spend out there trying to help out.

Project Goals

Spend a month out on Koh Rong island cleaning the beaches, reefs and local village of plastic waste. There are a number of projects on the island that also require my time. The local school for 5-12 year olds is currently being built and will be used to also help teach local people how to better protect the environment. There is a coral nursery that is used to help increase the coral covering the reef and to repopulate areas damaged by bleaching.

The majority of my time will be on Plastic Patrol. When the waste plastic has been gathered, it is then sorted, pelletised and upcycled into useable products. This is where I can use some of my past skills and experiences. The current method of processing is burning this waste, usually on the beach but starting soon is a plant which will allow the local community to transform this waste into new products, such as bowls, plates and phone cases. Which can be sold to tourists creating a circular economy.

Money Raising

To help raise money for this adventure I'm going to get myself up a couple of Cumbrian mountians, the four highest peaks in the lake district.

Skiddaw (3053 Feet)

Me up a very windy Skiddaw, cracking walk, not much to be seen at the top mind!

Helvellyn (3114 Feet)

Me at the top of Helvellyn, lovely days walk.

Scafell (3162 Feet) and Scafell Pike (3210 Feet)

The Organisation

This non-profit has been running for years, helping to improve the quality of life on the island for both people and animals. For anyone interested in what they do find them here, Save Cambodian Marine Life.

What I will do with the donations

Any help getting towards my target will be greatly appreciated! All of the money raised will go towards funding my month long volunteering, this will cost just over $1000 (or £760). Any money I get over my target - very unlikely I know - I will donate to the project through their Go Fund Yourself page, which will be used to buy a better upcycling plant, find the link here, Upcycling!