By Chris Cornford
Two children from Sandown Bay have won the Blue Seas Protection Half-term Challenge and can look forward to a ride in the charity’s RIB this summer.
The two-week challenge was split into four categories: science, conservation, art and general.
Blue Seas Protection (BSP) Chairman, Garry Oates, said: “Children sent in pictures of their Beach Finds and their Beach Art Creation. We had an amazing selection and variety over the fortnight and each entry received a badge.
“The BSP trustees chose a winner in each category, who each received a BSP Gold Award certificate and I chose the overall winners, brother and sister Joshua and Natalie de Bootman, who will be taken for a ride on our RIP in Sandown Bay during the summer.
“For me, every entry was a winner. It’s great to see so many budding marine biologists, scientists and artists living on our Island.
“I chose Natalie and Joshua for their fantastic litter-picking on the beach. Every piece of litter they collected stopped it from going back into the sea and harming our environment and marine life. We are a Marine Conservation Charity after all!”
Mum, Kasia, said: “The children were so excited they won; they were jumping up and down!”
Blue Seas Protection is an Island charity, based in Sandown, which is dedicated to acting and raising awareness of the issues faced in oceans and to protecting our seas.
WINNERS:
Art: Isaac, aged 6, for his ‘seacycled’ sea glass fish. Runner up: Maks (10) for his Mona Lisa.
Science: Samuel (4) for his sea mouse. Runner up: Millie (8) and Billy (2) for their live brittle star.
Conservation: Natalie (6) and Joshua (9) for their fantastic litter-picking on the beach.
General: Max (12) for the most unusual and interesting object with a World War II bullet. Runner up: Marshall (4) for a ‘bug hotel’ made with items off the beach.
Isle of Wight Observer