Renowned for their commitment to environmental causes, the North Shields band Hector Gannet recently collaborated with environmentalists and volunteers for a successful beach clean-up day. The initiative was organised by Germaine Valentine, the wife of the late Animal Hilton Valentine, famed guitarist of The Animals, who had flown into Tyneside to attend Hector Gannet’s sold-out show at Whitley Bay Playhouse on Thursday.
Taking advantage of her visit, Germaine Valentine utilised Hilton’s Facebook page to mobilise a clean-up effort along the grassy banks leading to Tynemouth Long Sands. In a generous gesture, she offered £15.00 to the first ten individuals willing to dedicate an hour of their Sunday lunchtime to the litter-pick. Moreover, Germaine pledged an additional £15.00 per participant to the local wildlife social enterprise Wild Intrigue.
Wild Intrigue is a local wildlife social enterprise committed to connecting people with nature. Through various projects, including the Wild Ouseburn initiative, Wild Intrigue aims to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of natural habitats, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment.
The pop-up clean-up operation exceeded expectations, with all participants choosing to donate their earnings back to charitable causes, including Wild Intrigue. The organisation, benefiting from match-funding by Aviva Community Fund, raised £530 for their Wild Ouseburn project. This project is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the wildlife in the Ouseburn Valley on the outskirts of Newcastle.
Members of Hector Gannet actively participated in the clean-up, distributing free badges to other volunteers. Wild Intrigue Directors, Cain Scrimgeour and Heather Devey, were among those who collected multiple bin bags of discarded litter from the grass banks in just over an hour. Aaron Duff from Hector Gannet said:
“Germaine is amazing, she’s so passionate about the environment and loves it here. She’s gone above and beyond in her generosity, and we applaud that.”
Hector Gannet, through their involvement in this impactful initiative, continues to exemplify their commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement. The band’s dedication to making a positive impact on the local environment resonates with their audience and reinforces their reputation as advocates for change. With a growing fan base, the band continues to use their platform to raise awareness and inspire positive change.
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Photo: The beach cleaners Germaine second left and Aaron centre with back hat
PR media Keith@highlightspr.co.uk