22.04.10 Sport Environment, the organiser of The Blue Mile – Race for the Environment is today delighted to announce that the University of Plymouth has agreed to become the Event Official Host City Partner. This timely announcement which coincides with Earth Day will see the University take a central role in providing a learning and marine-educational zone in the Event Village and it will also enable a series of free water sports activities to be available for young people to take their first steps in the blue environment.

The Blue Mile – Race for the Environment is the UK’s newest mass-participation event designed to engage people actively with our blue environment.  Open to everyone, participants are invited to complete a mile in, on or next to a water environment to raise vital support and money for WWF-UK, the world’s leading conservation organisation.  Participants can choose to swim, kayak, sail or even just walk – the options are almost endless!   The inaugural event will take place in Plymouth on 3^rd- 4^th July 2010.  The event has been created to increase participation in our natural environment and provide a learning experience to help encourage more people to take steps to care for the health of our planet.

The University of Plymouth, and its Faculty of Science and Technology, will be supporting the Environmental Zone in the Event Village, where the public will find plenty of hands-on activities to showcase our involvement with the marine environment, including the biology of the area and the latest technology by way of immersive vision theatres, weather simulators and even a “Shark”robot that will swim part of the Blue Mile course!  

The Event Village, which will be based next to the Mayflower Steps on Plymouth’s Barbican, will be themed around sport, healthy living and a clean environment and will provide a range of activities from key partner organisations and exhibitors that include the National Marine Aquarium, Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum, the Marine Biological Association, the National Trust, South West Lakes Trust, Nuffield Health and Natural England.

The University, together with the Environment Agency, will also be supporting the on-water activities, to enable a number of free and low cost taster sessions to encourage greater participation in our blue environment from young and disadvantaged groups across the City. Working with the Mount Batten Centre, Reactive Watersports, Plymouth Youth Sailing, Horizons Sailing Charity, Plymouth Children’s Services and Tinside Lido the Blue Mile aims to offer a series of watersports activities for families and young people so that they can experience the wonderful opportunities that Plymouth Sound can offer.

Professor Wendy Purcell , Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth, said: “We are delighted to be one of the Official Host City Partners of the Blue Mile event. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect the young people in our region and beyond with not only the breath-taking natural resources we have here in Plymouth, but also some of the key issues affecting our environment. 

“For the University, with its leading reputation for marine excellence and commitment to community engagement, this is a natural event for us to be a part of. It is a great example of partnership in Plymouth, and we are especially proud to support Conrad, who is an alumnus of the University.” 

Conrad Humphreys, Sport Environment says:  “It is fantastic that one of Europe’s leading marine universities has agreed to partner with The Blue Mile – Race for the Environment. Their support has opened up the event to encourage greater participation from young people across the City and together we will be working hard to inspire more people to enjoy our marine and coastal environment.”