Armed with a paddleboard and a legion of like-minded individuals, Lizzie Carr is on a mission to clean up the world’s waterways

Images: Andrew Hargraves Photography

Paddleboarding may just be a hobby for some, but for Lizzie Carr it changed her life and is helping to save our planet, too. What started as a personal journey to aid her recovery from cancer, soon evolved to become something much bigger – Plastic Patrol. The group collectively host clean-up events and raise awareness for sustainable practices. Here, the eco-activist and founder of the group, Lizzie, tells us more.

“After my cancer diagnosis, I promised myself I’d live a more meaningful life – that meant spending time with my family, getting outside in nature and dedicating myself to something I am passionate about. It all began when I was staying with my dad on the Isles of Scilly four years ago. I was two weeks out of radiotherapy treatment and felt weak, tired and completely off kilter. However, after spotting someone paddleboarding on the water and noticing how calming it looked, I knew I wanted to try it.” Lizzie recalls that as soon as her paddle hit the water something clicked, and she was hooked. “When I returned to London, I continued paddleboarding but in entirely different surroundings, and that’s when I started to see a less attractive side. I was horrified and disgusted by the sheer volume of plastic I was witnessing and the impact it was having on the surrounding wildlife. Bird’s nests made almost entirely of plastic, bottles rolling underneath my board and litter taking over the surface area on the water. It was heartbreaking; I knew then I had to do something about it. It’s not been an easy journey, but it is one that’s so worthwhile, especially seeing how the issue around plastic pollution has been highlighted over the last few years.”