DOZENS of volunteers from across North Wales were joined by a record-breaking oarswoman as they cleared plastics from Colwyn Bay beach.

Adventurer and campaigner Kiko Matthews stopped off to support participants in the Cyfle Cymru peer mentoring and employability project as they collected 12 bags of rubbish from the sands and promenade around Porth Eirias.

Kiko holds the record for rowing solo across the Atlantic and is now cycling around the UK coastline in an effort to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution.

All of those taking part in the special litter pick are in recovery from substance misuse and mental health conditions.

Funded by the European Social Fund and led by rehab and recovery charity CAIS, Cyfle Cymru uses peer mentoring, personalised support and volunteering to help people gain confidence, earn qualifications and move towards and into successful employment.

The event formed part of a nationwide coordinated effort to remove pollutants and rubbish from some of our most treasured beauty spots.

Cyfle Cymru participants in the Gwent, Powys, Dyfed and Western Bay áreas also cleared plastics from beaches and waterways as part of the annual Volunteers’ Week celebrations.

Programme coordinator Marian Williams said the project was a popular subject with Cyfle Cymru’s project participants.

“Over the last year, we’ve all become much more aware of the harm that rubbish and litter are doing to our environment – particularly plastics in our marine environments and waterways,” she said,

“People taking part in the Cyfle Cymru project are concerned about our wildlife, landscapes and environment, and are really keen to help tackle this menace – that’s why we were so pleased to take part in a national litter pick during Volunteers’ Week 2019.

“We hope these events can help to demonstrate that – with the right support – people with direct, lived experience of substance misuse and mental health conditions can make a direct and positive contribution to our communities and to any workplace.”

Volunteers’ Week offers a chance to celebrate and say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK, and takes place in June each year.