The Blue Project (Beyond Sport 2011 finalist) has teamed up with Thames21, one of the country’s leading waterway charities, to organise a special Blue Mile event for delegates attending the prestigious Beyond Sport Summit in London (23rd – 25th July 2012).
The Thames21 Blue Mile will take place on Monday 23rd July, the opening day of the Beyond Sport Summit and will give delegates the opportunity to complete a Blue Mile as part of the Olympic Legacy Project “The Big Waterways Clean Up 2012”, by canoeing down the Lee Navigation Canal in the Olympic Borough of Hackney, cleaning up the waterway as they go.
Thames21 Big Waterways Clean Up Coordinator Ben Fenton said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with the Blue Project and Beyond Sport as part of our pre-Games blitz on London’s waterways. This event will give delegates a chance to see London from a different perspective and learn first-hand about the importance of the capital’s waterways for people and the environment, while making a real, practical difference.”
Beyond Sport Founder Nick Keller said: “We are extremely supportive of the Blue Project. As a former Beyond Sport Awards nominee, we are thrilled to be working with them to provide this great opportunity for delegates at the Beyond Sport Summit to learn more about how sport can be used as a tool to raise awareness around environmental issues as well as have a tangible impact.’’
The Ecover Blue Mile is a nationwide grassroots initiative that encourages people to get close to their local rivers and waterways and raise some money for WWF to help protect them. Last year over 160 events took place around the UK where people walked, paddled and swam to raise funds to help protect our blue environment.
Conrad Humphreys, founder of the Blue Project commented: “With just under two weeks to the start of the Olympics and Paralympics, there has never been a better opportunity for sports people to highlight the need for a healthy clean environment. The Thames21 Blue Mile will provide a chance to showcase to the Beyond Sport Delegates how sport can be used to connect people with local waterways and how to get involved in maintaining their health for future generations.”
