‘A considerate tornado’ – with a positive impact.      

Just over two years ago, I walked side by side across the sand with my sister, Sara. The bright South African sun was beating down and Sara was excitedly telling my son Jacob about all the different marine life that could be found just offshore. Later that evening, over a glass of red wine, we laughed together as she told me about her latest adventure. She was planning to document a voyage across the Atlantic with two friends recording plastic pollution and raise awareness of its impact on the oceans. 

Sara always thought people could work together to achieve change. She had a passion, energy and thirst for life that was contagious, and this adventure suited her desire to live life to the fullest. 

The journey started well, and Sara had prepared us for the fact that she would not be in contact frequently. But, on 1^st July the contact stopped completely. Sara and her friends were caught in a storm that overwhelmed their boat and, tragically, claimed Sara’s life. The impact on myself, parents, family and friends was profound. Through the months of pain that followed, I felt truly heartbroken for Sara herself. She had so many aspirations and she was striving to achieve every single one of them. 

A considerate tornado

Born on 30^th June 1986, with a shock of black hair and beautiful blue eyes, Sara was “a considerate tornado” – bubbly, outgoing, captivating, funny, silly at times (no, a lot!) and simply like no other. 

My dad and Sara had learnt to dive together in Australia and the Red Sea, and this had been a spark for Sara’s interest in the oceans. After completing a degree in Zoology at Leeds University, she travelled the world through her work in  international development and conservation. She was notorious for making friends in every place she set foot. Her final move was to South Africa, a place she instantly fell in love with. It was here she met several people who inspired her to take on her own projects, and from here that she set off across the South Atlantic Ocean to record the presence of microplastics. 

Anyone who has lost someone will understand the strong urge to channel the pain of a significant loss into something positive. For me, I am proud that this has resulted in the beginning of The Sara King Ocean TaSKforce – a growing team of people who strive to continue some of the incredible work that Sara was involved in.

Our overall aim of is to raise awareness of the ocean plastic crisis. We hope to raise funds to support projects and education in this area, as well as other related conservation issues – and ultimately wish to operate with the same devotion that she showed for these topics. Sara’s quirky, passionate energy that she applied to research, education and communication projects, provides the identity for the TaSKforce. 

’Sara King believed that hands on research and data collection should not only be done by those in academia, government and industry; but that active citizen and the dedicated youth also had a role to play.’ Explains, Dr Holly Nel, a research fellow at The University of Birmingham, who worked closely with Sara. ‘This she believed could be done by coming together in our shared love of nature - to create research projects that allowed citizens and scholars the opportunity to be a part of the story.’ 

Sara was working in South Africa because she believed in the value of the projects she engaged with. She worked closely with Cape Radd, a marine field station that serves as a platform for researchers in Cape Town, which runs a range of educational citizen science days and courses for ocean enthusiasts.  The team are passionate about marine conservation and educating others through snorkelling and diving experiences, theoretical workshops and much more. 

‘The SK Ocean Task Force will work in collaboration with NGO’s and organizations to broaden our reach and impact on more people and environments. Cape Research and Diver Development (Cape-RADD) head up operations in Cape Town, South Africa where volunteers join the marine conservation program to get hands on experience in public awareness and communication campaigns. ‘(Mike Barron, Director at Cape Radd) 

The longer-term vision is for The SK Ocean Task Force to run yearly fundraising events around the time of Sara’s birthday.  It is envisaged that future monies raised will be partly used to fund the research Sara was conducting and to develop educational programmes alongside Cape Radd.  Furthermore, monies raised can be donated to established charities who tackle the issues of plastic pollution and promote the conservation of marine life. 

What you can do to help:

This year, from 30^th June onwards, we invite you all to join us in the #SKBeachClean2021 in loving memory of Sara, who dedicated her life to cleaning up our oceans. We are working together with The 2 Minute Foundation, an incredible organisation that aims to “empower, educate, inspire and enable individuals, groups and businesses to make simple changes or take part in simple actions that will contribute to the planet’s wellbeing”. 

Our aim this year raise £4,120 to adopt a beach clean station and support the recruitment, training and equipment of two Guardian angels for one year, who inspire local communities and look after up to ten of the #2minutebeachclean cleaning stations. 

To support us this year you can make a donation via our Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/inlovingmemoryofsaraking and/or conduct your own beach, riverside or lake clean. All information for how to take part can be found on our Facebook www.facebook.com/sarakingoceantaskforce/ and Instagram @ saraking_oceantaskforce pages.  If you do not have access to social media and would like to get involved, please email Kirsty King at skoceantaskforce@gmail.com for more information. 

Please also check out The 2 Minute Foundation's website and social media pages for more information on this wonderful charity 

@ https://www.2minute.org , 

Facebook-  @2 Minute Beach Clean

 Instagram @2minutehq 

Please help us to continue Sara’s positive impact on the world!