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Community spirit was on display in Manilva as volunteers came together to clean up the coastline around Calataraje beach. The initiative was led by Club Deportivo Senderos y Rutas Manilva, in collaboration with Eco Amigos and supported by Manilva Town Hall’s Environment Department. Gloves, bags and refreshments were provided as dozens of volunteers tackled litter and debris washed up along the shore, helping to protect one of the area’s most beautiful natural spots. Organisers said the aim was not only to keep the beaches clean but also to raise awareness about the growing problem of beach and marine pollution, and to encourage residents to take an active role in caring for the local environment. Several local associations joined the effort, including Luisana, Jinete de Surf, and Manilva Radio Television, making it a great show of community spirit, with hands-on help from Manilva mayor, Mario Jimenez and Councillors: Gema Zotano, Carlos Morejon and Pilar Zuniga. Sub-aqua divers from the Asociacion Subacuatica de Casares made sure that the underwater ecosystem got clean-up attention, too. In total, over 70 bags of rubbish were collected by a 30-strong team. The collaboration came on the back of Eco Amigos’ biggest clean-up earlier in the month, when they collected a whopping 128 bags of rubbish, in what founder Melissa Vaughn described as the worst case of litter and man-made debris since Eco Amigos began. On the event, Vaughn commented: “Today’s clean-up was a really enjoyable way for locals to make a positive impact on the health of our little corner of the planet, as well as connect with like-minded individuals and foster beneficial ties. Getting youngsters involved in the work is so important, to develop respect for our environment”. Volunteering has become an integral part of life across the Costa del Sol, where initiatives like this highlight the region’s strong sense of civic pride. Across Spain, more than four million people take part in voluntary activities each year, according to the Spanish Volunteering Platform, while municipalities such as Estepona have recently launched new programmes to train volunteers in community care and environmental support. Club Deportivo Senderos y Rutas Manilva is a local hiking group that also gives back to the environment it enjoys on its community walks. For updates on future community hikes and clean-ups, visit Club Deportivo Senderos y Rutas Manilva and Eco Amigos Manilva on Facebook.