Young Charlie Hamilton-Cooper wants to help the sea-life and wildlife he loves from being killed and hurt by all our rubbish on the beaches and in the oceans, so he’s doing something about it.
Charlie is 5 years old and loves marine and wild life
At just 4 years old, Charlie Hamilton-Cooper overheard his parents discussing the detrimental effects all the plastic, rubbish and pollution in our seas, oceans and coastlines are having on all the marine and wild life he loves. Charlie wanted to do something to help. In March 2017, Charlie started beach cleaning and loves it so much there is no stopping him! He is doing amazing work. He hopes to inspire and encourage others to do the same.
The “Little Litter Hero” has taken part in 24 beach cleans across 11 different locations
Dubbed a “Little Litter Hero”, 5-year-old Charlie Hamilton-Cooper spends his spare time cleaning harmful litter from beaches across Northern Ireland. — reported ITV last week.
So far, the young boy from Crossgar, Co. Down, has taken part in 24 organised beach clean-ups and often asks his parents if he can head out with his litter picker (that he has nicknamed “Velociraptor”), at the weekends.
Somewhat alarmingly during his trips to the coast, Charlie has discovered live flares, and strong prescription drugs. One day he found nearly 100 fisherman’s gloves, and on another occasion he picked up 50 bags of dog poo.
Charlie first became interested in the environment after overhearing his parents discussing an article they had seen on plastic. His Dad, Jonathan Hamilton-Cooper, says Charlie is very concerned about the animals in the sea.
“He came into the room one day and I was talking with his mum about the plastic in the sea in an article we saw and he took a great interest in it. He was really concerned about the fish and the animals, that the plastic is basically harming in his eyes, so he wanted to do something about it.”
Charlie has become well-known locally for his dedication to cleaning up the state of our coastlines and he feels it’s time well-spent.
Asked why he wants to tackle the rubbish he explained, “Because all the animals might be killed. Turtles might be in the water and eat balloons and they think it’s jellyfish, but it’s actually balloons.”
Last week Charlie was the youngest to be honoured at the Live Here Love Here Community Awards in Belfast, winning the Newry Mourne and Down Litter Heroes Award and a Special Volunteer Champion Award for all his work. Charlie has taken part in 24 beach cleans across 11 different locations.
You can follow Charlie on Twitter, or catch up with him on Facebook.
Source: ITV.com
How to Participate in a Beach Cleanup: 8 Steps (With Pictures)
Collecting trash from beaches can be done as an individual or family, as a group or collective, or as part of a special event such as International Coastal Cleanup Day or as a class group and school. Being regularly aware of the need to keep all coasts clean and beautiful is one way that each and every one of us can help improve the state of the beach, shoreline and duns and to ensure that these environments continue to serve as places both people and wildlife can use safely.