FESTOONED with plastic bottles and other marine litter, anti-pollution campaigner Adam Reed successfully completed a 2km swim around Wimbleball Lake on Saturday to raise awareness of the plight of sea-creatures affected by plastic debris.

His swim, part of the first Exmoor Open Water Swim event, was the last part of his ‘Run-Starve-Swim Challenge for Plastic Free Coastlines’ which has raised over £650 for the campaigning charity Surfers Against Sewage, of which Adan is West Somerset representative. 

“The swim was fun, but cold and a real challenge for me as it was my first open water event,” he said.

“The plastic marine litter attached to me included single-use bottles, a bag, bottle-tops, a straw, a toothbrush and a toy, and a piece of discarded fishing net.

“Having done the 24-hour starve – no food whatsoever and only water and two cups of black tea – at the end of August, with support from my mum who did it too, I have now completed the whole three -part challenge.” 

Adam said that the challenge was not only to raise funds for the Surfers Against Sewage campaign to protect the oceans, but also to raise awareness of the increasing problem of plastic pollution in the seas and on beaches.

“I have been overwhelmed by the support I have had for the three events. I’’m sure I’ve raised a few eyebrows and looked pretty silly, but it’s been great fun!” Adam said.

Adam, pictured on the right, can still be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adam-reed9.