Local Surf Life Saving Club Gets £10,000 Boost from Imerys British Lithium

Imerys British Lithium and Imerys Join Forces to Support Carlyon Bay SLSC

A newly established Surf Life Saving Club in Carlyon Bay, St Austell, has received a significant donation from Imerys British Lithium, providing much-needed equipment and support. The club, founded just last year, had been struggling to secure the resources required to run beach sessions for local children.

Community Support in Action

Imerys, known for its historical links to the clay industry in the area, stepped in to provide a crucial lifeline for the young club. The company donated an old shipping container, which was then renovated by Carlyon Bay SLSC volunteers, and funded the new signage and insurance costs for the club.

Adding to this, Imerys British Lithium supplied seven ‘nipper boards’—mini rescue boards used by the young members to practise their paddling skills. The total support package, valued at nearly £10,000, has made a significant impact on the fledgling club.

Building Water Safety Skills

Mark Hewson, who leads Imerys in the UK and is also a director of Imerys British Lithium, highlighted the importance of water safety education in the region, which is home to numerous bodies of water and two ports owned by the company.

Ben Cordier, from Carlyon Bay SLSC, expressed his gratitude for the support received, stating that it was instrumental in getting the club off the ground. He emphasised the club’s commitment to providing water safety education and training its members to save lives both at sea and in inland water bodies, such as the many disused clay pits around St Austell.

Paddling the Channel Challenge

The young members of the club recently showcased their skills during a sponsored Paddle the Channel event, where participants collectively paddled 21 miles, the equivalent of crossing the English Channel. One nipper managed an impressive 6km on their own, demonstrating the effectiveness of their training.

The club is now looking to raise additional funds to purchase transition boards for its teenage members, which will help them progress towards accredited vocational qualifications. Donations can be made through the club’s website.

Future Community Engagement

Imerys British Lithium, which plans to build the world’s first integrated lithium quarry and production plant on former clay extraction land, has been actively engaging with the local community about its plans. The feedback gathered from these events will inform the planning application, set to be submitted next year.

The final public consultation for 2024 will be held in St Stephen on 23 October. For more information, visit Imerys British Lithium’s website or email bl.info@imerys.com.

Other groups looking for funding or support around St Austell and the clay villages should email  Jane Devereux at Imerys.