Six Team members from the Dolphin Centre in Poole took part in an extensive 16.4-mile beach clean on 15th October to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital and the NHS University Hospitals Dorset charity.

The team, naming themselves ‘The Green Dolphins’, walked over the length of a half marathon, tackling the full coastline. The trek started at Sandbanks and stretched as fast as Hengistbury Head before returning to Sandbanks in the same day, while completing the beach clean. 

John Grinnell, Centre Manager at the Dolphin Centre, said: “Taking part in such a huge beach clean seemed like the perfect activity to raise money for these two exceptional charities – we wanted to take part in an activity that not only protects our beaches, but allows us to also support two worthwhile causes.”

The event is part of an initiative by One Great Day, a charity that holds events within shopping centres across the UK to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, and a local charity of each centre’s choice.

Taking part in this activity was motivated by the Dolphin’s values and the importance it places on practising sustainably. John added: “We are always trying to better ourselves as a shopping centre to make conscious decisions that protect and preserve our environment. This was therefore the perfect challenge for us and we hope to encourage others within our community to do the same.”

Donations are open now and fundraising will continue until the end of November for the team to reach their total target of £1,000.

To donate, please visit their Virgin Money Giving page.

For more information about the Dolphin Centre, please visit: www.dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk