Sustainability Award for Active 360 Paddle Boarding

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Dubbed environmental heroes for efforts to clear plastic from the Thames

The Active 350 team receive their award from the Mayor of Hounslow

Active 360, the paddle board company based in the arches under Kew Bridge has been presented an award for their work with the local environment.

The Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Tony Louki, presented the “Love your Arches” award last Friday (28 August) as part of a campaign by Transport for London (TFL) to support businesses based in arches.

Active 360 won in the “Sustainability Category” and were dubbed environmental heroes for using Brentford Boating Arch on the Thames to pick plastics out of the river as part of their paddle boarding lessons.

Paul Hyman, Founder and Director of Active 360, believes the award can enhance awareness of protecting marine life along the River Thames, he said, “Thanks to TFL for recognising the work we are doing to help reduce plastic pollution at source and our engagement in the protection of marine environments. Freeing the Thames of plastic trash is a huge task, which needs engagement from many individuals and organisations to make a real and long-lasting change.

“This award increases awareness, which will hopefully come with more engagement from the community and businesses to push the changes needed forward.”

Established in 2007 by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, the Boating Arch brought together “cusp of three boroughs” , St George West London, London Marathon, The Veolia Environmental Trust and Landfill Communities Fund to create a sporting hub that would connect with local schools, community groups and businesses. Now, in 2020, the Boating Arch offers a multitude of watersport activities for the local community including kayaking, paddle boarding and rowing.

Lee Doyle, Chief Executive of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, said, “Congratulations to Active 360. We are working with dynamic and forward-thinking partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors to open up the local waterways to the community. With the imminent opening of Brentford’s new stadium and adjacent community hub, we envisage more activities and initiatives to engage with our local communities."

TFL’s Love Your Arches awards highlights charities, businesses and social enterprises who make a tangible impact to their local area; “Arch Day” was on Saturday 29 August.

TfL is one of London’s largest landowners and it uses its estate in a variety of ways to generate income to reinvest into the transport network. This includes supporting numerous businesses on its properties across the Capital, including within its 800 arches.

More than 86 per cent of TfL’s tenants are small and medium businesses, which means they have an important contribution to play in helping London recover. Recent research by the Federation for Small Businesses suggests that more people than ever are keen to shop local, with 63p of every £1 spent in a small business remaining in the local economy.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said, “As we celebrate the unique contribution of small businesses based in railway arches across London this week, it is important that all levels of Government continue to support our small business community through the continued uncertainty of this global pandemic.”

This page is sponsored by Express Property Services who support community initiatives in Chiswick

September 4, 2020