Northumberland woman wins £500 prize as reward for coastal conservation efforts

Mandy Fall, a volunteer with the Coast Care initiative has been named joint runner up in the 2020 Marsh Christian Trust Volunteer Awards for Marine Conservation.

She got involved with the Seahouses-based group after moving to the area in summer 2019.

Mandy, who received a certificate and £500 prize, said: “I was totally overwhelmed and amazed to hear I had been nominated by the team at Coast Care and Northumberland Wildlife Trust, and to be awarded the joint runner up prize is wonderful.

“My love for nature and wildlife, especially around the coast, has developed into a passion for all things marine and led to a determination to do what I can to help protect our coastal and marine ecosystems.

“Joining Coast Care has been an opportunity to meet and work with like-minded people who care as much as I do, and I feel that this award is as much them as it is for me.”

Mandy has dedicated over 70 hours of her time in the past year.

Her coastal ‘patch’ is perfect for a wildlife enthusiast, as she regularly spots bottlenose dolphins and porpoises.

She has joined Coast Care on Shorewatch events to spot them, took part in this year’s National Whale and Dolphin Watch and surveys for dolphins in her free time - reporting back to Marine Life’s North East Cetacean Project.

During lockdown, Mandy monitored three oystercatchers and took in the highs and lows of their nesting attempts.

Once lockdown restrictions eased and people returned to the coast, she lifted 408kgs from the coastline through her site warden role and with other organisations - 350kg alone in fishing rope was removed from the beaches

Becky Bass, Coast Care project manager, said: “Mandy is just one of hundreds of volunteers who have dedicated their time to Coast Care but she really has gone above and beyond to assist in marine conservation.

"She is a fabulous member of the team, always keen to muck in and learn new skills to further her knowledge and ways in which she can help the cause.

“She really deserves this award and I and the team are so privileged and proud to have her on board as one of our volunteers.”

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