! Let's Stop Sewage in the Dart !

FO

Project by Friends of the Dart

! Let's Stop Sewage in the Dart !

Total raised £59,042

raised so far

303

supporters

Our vision is to Stop Sewage pollution in the River Dart, making it safe and thriving for all, from source to sea.

We're still collecting donations

On the 5th November 2024 we'd raised £59,026 with 302 supporters in 108 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.

 New stretch target

- Information Sharing Platform (Free to Use)

Creating an App for sharing the testing results with everyone. Pollution reporting and sickness reporting forum with information about each site. 

Goal: Education, engagement, action and activity.

Target Audience Outreach and Engagement: 5 - 8,000 + people

Budget: £10,000

Activity Impact officer- Supporting our communities to engage in healthy activity based around the Dart increasing the heart rate and health of our communities, being nourished by nature and in turn giving something back by caring for the environment. The officer will collate and manage information about safe engagement with the river to ensure that the river ecology, banks etc are not disturbed by human activity, highlighting the need for self responsibility and care when in the river environment. With an ambition to team up with local clubs, swimming, paddling and sailing and be able to support people to access these experiences who may not otherwise be able to do so. 

Budget-£15'000

Target Audience Outreach and Engagement: 3 - 5,000 people min. of which 1,500 approx. are new to regular movement and exercise.

- #Deskto10RiverDates - Social Media / Community Engagement Campaign.

We know how important being active and out in nature is to physical and mental wellbeing. So how about a Date with your River? If you aren't already doing so, we want to inspire and even urge you to join in and connect with water (and nature) for your health and wellbeing. Please join us in a Desk to 10 River Dates for just ten Fridays (and hopefully you will do more!). During your date you will get out in nature, move your body and take time out for you away from sitting at your desk. Share your pictures, stories and encounters using the hashtag #Deskto10RiverDates on social media. Inspire your friends and family to join in too! Keep Friends of the Dart in the loop about your progress and when you reach or stretch your target of 10 dates with your local river (or water body however large or small!!). Could some of them even be 'Blind Dates' with a new and as yet undiscovered stretch of water that you have never previously been too?! Happy Dating!

Goals Achieved: Through action, get everyone moving and out in nature.

Target Audience Outreach and Engagement: 3 - 5,000 people min. of which 1,500 approx. are new to regular movement and exercise.

Budget: £2,000

- I Pledge To Save Water - Volunteers @ Home

An initiative for supporters, followers and volunteers to get involved: everyone can join in and perfect for young families. Through social media outreach, getting them to think about water use generally and commit to just 5 ways of saving water and sharing their saves using the hashtag #IPledgeToSaveWater

Goals Achieved: Education on responsible use of water.

Target Audience Outreach and Engagement: 3 - 5,000 people

Budget: £2,000

- River Ambassadors Programme - 

Engaging community volunteers and young ambassadors in awareness of a specific stretch of river, each ambassador will commit to regularly walking the stretch of river checking for visual pollution incidents. They will be trained in recognising and reporting these.  

Goals Achieved: Engagement, action and activity.

Target Audience Outreach and Engagement: 100 people

Budget: £2,000

- River Fly Survey 

River flies are an indicator of the health of a river. Engagement and the set up of a Dart river fly survey, volunteer teams will be trained in identifying river fly and submitting results. 

Goals Achieved: Education, action and activity.

Target Audience Outreach and Engagement: 150 people

Budget: £1,000

- Guided River Walks

Regular opportunities to join our water technician and other river lovers and volunteers to walk at the riverside, find out about sampling, what we are testing for and why with guest environmentalists joining us.

Goal: Engagement, education, action and activity.

Target Audience Outreach and Engagement: 500 - 700 people

Budget: £5,500



1721202246_photo_of_the_dart_(taken_by_keviccs_student).jpg

The key objective of this project is to resolve sewage pollution in the River Dart. In doing so, we aim to inspire and enable many more people to safely enjoy the River and its beautiful surroundings. 

Working alongside other stakeholders to shine a light on the issue of River pollution, we want regulatory changes to eradicate sewage spills. We are assured that our water company wants the same. Through constructive collaboration we will help them achieve their goal.

Being connected to the freely available River Dart and its natural environment has huge physical and mental health benefits - this connection will in turn inspire individuals to care and together we can take positive steps towards the resolution of River pollution. 

Once we have improvements in the water quality, we will encourage river activities with appropriate careful guidelines around locations, to make sure that people's safety, our River ecology, and landscape are all protected. 

In the sections below, we share with you: Who We Are // Our Mission and What We Do // Our Vision // How Will The Natural World, us included, Benefit? // Why Do We Need Your Help? // Join The Movement for Positive Change // Your Generous Gifts Will Fund the Following Costs. 


Who We Are:

‘Friends of the Dart’ is a grassroots community group, together we are cleaning up the River Dart from source to sea along its 47 miles - that’s the equivalent of 1500 olympic-sized swimming pools end to-end, for us all to safely enjoy!

It all began with a group of swimmers who noticed significant amounts of illness after people had been in the River. 

We have rapidly grown to be a strong inclusive and collaborative community of walkers, paddlers, runners, kayakers, sailors, River lovers, anglers, farmers, landowners and you…

We asked the question, "What is in the water?" And set out on a mission to find out just that, as well as what could be done to resolve any pollution issues.

We have achieved a lot in 18 months, all which we couldn't have done without you! We received unprecedented support which led to us being awarded four designated Defra water quality testing sites, as well as completing our own pilot water quality testing programme led by our team of community volunteers, along a number of sections of the Dart. We also hosted a series of inspiring and informative events. These events have brought together expertise from across the water quality sector and connected people to the River by inspiring them to enjoy it, and making it more accessible.

We know there is a problem and we have now shown that we can do something about it. We are making real change happen and with your help we can do more.

Here's a quick video introduction to Friends of the Dart:

We invite you to please Donate (however small) or, claim one of our brilliant Rewards or,

if you're game, come and join us by setting up an easy Fundraiser of your own. You can be sponsored to walk, swim, run, cycle, paddle, sail, skip or anything that challenges you and inspires others, however crazy!!

When we all come together, we know that we can make a difference to the long term health of our beautiful River, as well as our health and wellbeing.


Our survey (thanks to Seymour Research) of 1121 residents conducted in September 2023 showed that the main barriers to use and enjoyment of the River Dart was poor water quality!

(61% cited this) with 68% of respondents having fallen ill themselves or having close friends and family who have become ill after swimming in the river. 

92% of people reported contact with the river to have a significant positive impact on their physical and mental health.


Our Mission and What We Do:

  • We advocate for the River Dart.
  • We work to minimise pollution, improve biodiversity and empower communities that run along the length of the river.
  • We do this through evidence based advocacy and constructive engagement.
  • We seek to contribute to the well being of other rivers through best practice leadership and collaborative working, thus driving a movement of transparency and accountability.
  • We are leading the way in community driven collaborative action towards the resolution of sewage pollution in our rivers.

1721202246_photo_of_the_dart_(taken_by_keviccs_student).jpg

Our Vision:

Our vision is to clean up the whole of the River and make the Dart safe and thriving, by doing so we are connecting communities from varied backgrounds, all ages and a multitude of experiences. This vision will set a precedent for all rivers in the UK. 

One of the joys of the River is being able to swim, paddle, sail, kayak, jog, walk and more, in it or by it, but many local people have stopped doing this, for fear of themselves (or their four-legged furry friends!) becoming ill.  

The River is free, and a life-line to so many, available to everyone and anyone: it should be the perfect environment for you to enjoy for your physical and mental health, and wellbeing. This is regardless of your income, background and social status.

By providing accurate information about what is in the water, through our regular testing and the publication of those results, we are supporting you and the general public to have the best healthy active lifestyle possible, whilst rebuilding important connections with the beautiful places along the length and breadth of the Dart.

How Will The Natural World, us included, Benefit?

The health of our communities is inextricably linked to the health of our River and its water quality. We are working towards a happy, healthy wider community who are confident in and inspired by interacting with what nature has to offer and the natural resources available to them.

The River’s ecology, nature, fauna and flora will thrive for the long term.

Why Do We Need Your Help?

With a strong and growing mandate, we need your help, to raise vital funds to add a further three test sites to our all year round water quality testing programme.  Our testing has begun and we will run out of these initial funds by the end of September. The Environment Agency stops testing the designated sites in September yet people don't stop engaging with the River and the ecology doesn't stop being degraded by sewage pollution. 

We use rigorous and high quality testing protocols to indicate sewage levels in the water in places where people swim, paddle, fish and walk. This standard of testing has given us a voice at a national level, where we have been contributing to the discussions on where current Regulations and Policy falls short and where vital changes are needed.

Though other organisations test the waters, ours is the only independent and community-led programme that tests from source to sea at multiple locations all year round and publish 100% of the results (the Environment Agency tests from May to September only at Designated Bathing Water sites [of which the Dart has 4 sites] and only publish 90% of their results). 

Locally, we have reached out to our communities and completed a series of educational events and talks. We are looking to offer more of these alongside the expansion of our testing sites. 

In all, this creates more safety, adds accountability and transparency to our pivotal conversations driving long term positive action. We are in talks with South West Water about a timeline of effective infrastructure updates to resolve sewage pollution and a legal document setting this out publicly.

Join The Movement for Positive Change:

Your donations will enable us to open up even more River for you to enjoy, giving everyone clear information about bacterial content. Ultimately, that's the equivalent of opening up 1500 olympic-sized swimming pools end to-end, for us all to safely enjoy!

Friends are here for the good and the bad, and right now the River Dart needs all the friends it has to lend it a hand. 

If you are reading this and love the River Dart, you are no doubt a 'Friend of the Dart' too!

Our shared belief is all rivers should be brought back to healthy, thriving water standards - please support us in our vision to make the River Dart safer for everyone.

1721378188_img_3065.jpg

Your Generous Gift will Fund the Following Costs:

All budgets and targets are based on one year's activity and impact, covering 2 main areas: Testing and Community Engagement.

1/. TESTING:

- Testing Costs

Water quality testing, laboratory analysis and results and testing equipment. 

Budget: £16,000 pa

- Water Technician Role

P/t 3 days a week role for the collection, analysis and reporting results of the water quality. 

Budget: £24,000 pa

- Water Quality Monitoring Kit and Reagent 

Using this technology alongside our lab tests will give us the flexibility to respond to pollution incidents, taking tests with immediate results. We will train a team of volunteers to be incident responders. 

Budget: £3,966 (40 tests)

2/. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT:

- Information Sharing Platform (Free to Use)

Creating an App for sharing the testing results with everyone. Pollution reporting and sickness reporting forum with information about each site. 

Budget: £10,000

- River Ambassadors Programme  

Engaging community volunteers and young ambassadors in awareness of a specific stretch of River, each ambassador will commit to regularly walking the stretch of River checking for visual pollution incidents. They will be trained in recognising and reporting these.  

Budget: £2,500

- River Fly Survey 

River flies are an indicator of the health of a River. Engagement and the set up of a Dart River fly survey, volunteer teams will be trained in identifying River fly and submitting results. 

Budget: £1,000

- Guided River Walks

Regular opportunities to join our water technician and other River lovers and volunteers to walk at the Riverside, find out about sampling, what we are testing for and why with guest environmentalists joining us.

Budget: £5,500

- Community Officer Role

Inspiring our multitude of wonderful volunteers to effectively and enjoyably contribute and join us in advocating for the River Dart. 

The officer will share information about safe engagement with the River to ensure that the River ecology, banks are not disturbed. 

Budget: £15,000

- #Deskto10RiverDates - Social Media / Community Engagement Campaign.

We know how important being active and out in nature is to physical and mental wellbeing. So how about a Date with your River? If you aren't already doing so, we want to inspire and even urge you to join in and connect with water (and nature) for your health and wellbeing. Please join us in a Desk to 10 River Dates for just ten Fridays (and hopefully you will do more!). During your date you will get out in nature, move your body and take time out for you away from sitting at your desk. Share your pictures, stories and encounters using the hashtag #Deskto10RiverDates on social media. Inspire your friends and family to join in too! Keep Friends of the Dart in the loop about your progress and when you reach or stretch your target of 10 dates with your local River (or water body however large or small!!). Could some of them even be 'Blind Dates' with a new and as yet undiscovered stretch of water that you have never previously been too?! Happy Dating!

Budget: £2,000

- I Pledge To Save Water - Volunteers @ Home

An initiative for supporters, followers, and volunteers to get involved: everyone can join in and perfect for young families. Through social media outreach, getting them to think about water use generally and commit to just 5 ways of saving water and sharing their saves using the hashtag #IPledgeToSaveWater

Budget: £2,000


In summary, these vital funds raised will enable us to open up even more of the River for everyone to enjoy, in every way possible, giving clear information about bacterial content from three further sites for a year. These new test results will be made public and used to hold the water company to account so that we progress towards infrastructure upgrades that will eradicate sewage spills.


1721378148_img_3064.jpg

1721398694_fod_logo.png1?ui=2&ik=b81b06969e&attid=0.1.3&permmsgid=msg-f:1804815425654036110&th=190bfe113b41168e&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ8r4SMyQXnWuT0LgEbxBdQocP4uRjYTmM_UnFMIer5OCFlCP9fLhBQ4gPwaecweDk0iKVduzTNMSpxcsfHVJSwV39i7ms7famaGb_shdVbw4faLn73k94FzON0&disp=emb


Become a fundraiser

Want to raise funds for this cause? It's simple to get started.

Start fundraising

Rewards

This project offered rewards

£280 or more

FLASH SALE TODAY The Bull Inn - meal & stay for 2

On the last day of our Crowdfunder campaign, we have discounted this reward by 25%, grab it before it goes! Have a wonderful evening courtesy of our lovely friends at The Bull Inn, Totnes. A meal for two and an overnight stay at this award winning venue. Thank you to the wonderful team at The Bull for this wonderful donation!

£30 or more

Buy One Water Quality Test

You will be buying one laboratory test of River water quality, taken at a single location by our Technician.

£40 or more

Two handmade mugs by Georgi Gilpin

Two beautiful ceramic mugs made by Totnes artist, Georgi Gilpin. See her work at www.georgimakes.com

£100 or more

Entry- Wild Dart Swim and Aquathlon 2025

An adult place in the fabulous Wild Dart Swim & Aquathlon taking place on our beautiful river on 7th June 2025 and with camping at the gorgeous riverside Sharpham Trust estate. All participants at the 2025 event will have the option to fundraise for us through sponsorship. We are delighted to be partnering with Wild Running for this event. https://www.wildrunning.co.uk/event/wild-dart-swim-and-aquathlon/

£600 or more

Mindfulness Retreat at beautiful Sharpham Trust

You can choose to come on retreat in various venues across this beautiful Dart-side estate. This reward is redeemable for any of the Sharpham retreats including the very popular mindfulness canoeing retreat. Please read more and check the criteria by opening this link in your browser before choosing this reward. www.friendsofthedart.org/more-about-sharpham-retreat-reward

£10,000 or more

Lifelong Supporter

Lifelong Supporter Become a lifelong supporter and a friend of the Dart. You will be massively contributing to what we can be achieved when we come together.

£20 or more

A Vintage Collectables & Fripperies Voucher

A £20 voucher for the emporium of delights that is Swagman's Daughter - the online purveyor of old warehouse finds, based in Totnes. www.theswagmansdaughter.com

£20 or more

Jewellery Voucher for Jane's Silver Stall, Totnes

Jane sources beautifully hand-crafted silver jewellery, for her Silver Stall at Totnes Market, on her winter travels to India, Indonesia and Thailand.

£20 or more

Organic Cotton T-Shirt - Friends of the Dart Brand

Claim a Friends of the Dart organic cotton T-Shirt. Let us know your size (S, M or L) and your address, and we'll pop it in the post to you. When they are gone, they are gone, so grab then while you can! * We have a selection of sizes but we might run out, if everyone orders the same size. Fingers crossed that we have your size still available when you claim the reward, in the unlikely event, we will let you know straight away.

£30 or more

Hunts Devon Cider

As a reward for your donation, claim three bottles of crisp, refreshing Hunts Devon Cider.

£30 or more

Neoprene gloves and a cosy change mat

For lovers of the water, to keep you dry and warm. Donated by the sports kit and clothing company, Two Bare Feet, based in Paignton, Devon.

£30 or more

Dartmouth to Dittisham return ferry trip for two

A scenic trip along the River Dart with Dittisham Ferries. As well as experiencing the beautiful river Dart and lots of wildlife, you will pass impressive buildings like Agatha Christie's Greenway House and the Brittania Royal Naval College along the way. Each leg of the journey will take about 25 minutes. Date of travel will need to be booked in advance. www.dittishamferries.co.uk

£35 or more

Dance Class in Dartington with Adam Griffin

Join Adam for his wonderful dance class at Dartington Estate. Details can be found here: https://deepdivedance.co.uk/classes

£40 or more

An Amazing Cake from Djamilla

Djamillas cakes are spectacular!! You are in for a treat.

£45 or more

A Set of Wild Swimming Books by Sophie Pierce

A set of wild swimming books by the wonderful Sophie Pierce. If you are an adventurer looking for new swims, these are for you!

£50 or more

Fabulous Wine from Sharpham Barton

To be described and details to be confirmed. Wine from Sharpham barton

£50 or more

Bubbly and Cream Tea for two at The Old Forge

Julie & Mike invite you into their lovely south facing walled garden in Totnes for a little treat. www.oldforgetotnes.com

£50 or more

Cocktails at The Angel Bar & Kitchen

Enjoy four divine cocktails at your new best friend of a place in Totnes. www.theangeltotnes.com

£50 or more

A bottle of Jack Speak Gin

Dartmouth is the home of Jack Speak London Dry Gin. Perfect for celebrating at the Dartmouth Regatta! www.jackspeak.com

£50 or more

Dolphin Dollars to spend at Dolphin Inn, Dartmouth

£50 of 'Dolphin Dollars' to spend at the Dolphin Inn on Market Street in Dartmouth

£60 or more

Stewart Taylor original monoprint: Dusk II

The artist (Creativepool winner 2024) reflects here on the consequences of Ash Dieback - see image in link. The estimate is that 99% of native Ash will be lost to the disease costing the UK around £15 billion - the biggest cost coming from the lost beneficial functions of trees (water & air purification & carbon sequestration) highlighting the perils of a lax approach to biosecurity. https://stewarttaylorprints.com/product/dusk-2-ash-dieback

£60 or more

Tour for two of Dartmouth Royal Naval College

Guided tour of the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth for two people. Explore the institution's 150 year heritage, appreciate the rich history, role and relevance of this building and the naval training conducted there today.

£60 or more

Meal for two at the Ferry Boat Inn, Dittisham

A bottle of wine and two pizzas, in a perfect setting, overlooking the River Dart. Perhaps one of the best views from a pub window anywhere in the world? www.fbidittisham.co.uk

£65 or more

River Dart Canoe Adventure

There are some amazing trips on the Dart to choose from... wow how amazing would it be to spend the day on the beautiful river Dart! There are 2 tickets up for grabs. Canoe Adventures are giving you the choice of any one of their amazing trips. All the available trips are found here. https://canoeadventures.co.uk Voucher expires Nov 2025

£75 or more

£100 Voucher - to go towards any Paddle Devon Trip

Grab yourself a bargain a £100 voucher for an trip or activity with Paddle Devon https://www.paddledevon.co.uk. What a great gift or treat !

£80 or more

Stewart Taylor framed silkscreen print: 'Alcala'

This award-winning silkscreen print (image in link below), by Dartmouth artist, Stewart, is based on photos taken in Alcala la Real in Spain and images from the artist's garden. It portrays an Andalucia suffering increasingly extreme climate change with a battered economy as a consequence, rather than the historical depiction of olive grove monoculture. Stewart is offering this print framed. https://stewarttaylorprints.com/product/alacala

£90 or more

Dartmouth Paddleboard Guided Trip for Two

Sea Kayak Devon are offering a voucher for two people to take an SUP guided trip around the mouth of the Dart. Explore hidden caves and secret passages between rocky islands, whilst discovering the wonderful local wildlife. www.seakayakdevon.co.uk

£100 or more

One-to-One Sailing Experience

Stoke Gabriel Boating Association is offering an individual, three hour, Sunday Sailing Experience with an experienced RYA Accredited Dingy Instructor on the beautiful Dart Estuary. Suitable for a complete novice or someone wishing to improve or refresh their basic sailing skills.

£100 or more

Six Mycotonics Mushroom Extracts

Mycotonics Organic Mushroom Extracts are made by GroCycle, a pioneering social enterprise based in Dartington, Devon. Medicinal mushroom extracts are known for their health-giving properties. Research has shown that mushrooms can have a positive effect on gut health, the immune system, brain function, energy levels and sleep quality. The retail value of these six extracts is £190. www.mycotonics.uk

£120 or more

Lunch for 2 with wine at The Bull Inn, Totnes

The Bull Inn is an organic, radical and ethical pub with nine consciously designed bedrooms, a self-catering apartment and seasonally-led restaurant. You will be having lunch for two and wine.

£160 or more

Gin school experience with Salcombe Gin

A gift voucher towards a wonderful experience at the Gin School generously donated by Salcombe Gin.

£200 or more

The Green Gathering festival tickets, one adult

The UK's original off-grid, grassroots festival, The Green Gathering is a four day exploration of low-impact living - filled with music, arts, activism, spoken word, crafts and so much more. NB: Please note this is for next year and next year's dates have not been released yet. (FYI: This year's dates are 1-4th August '24 so we assume, around the same time NEXT year too).

£300 or more

Two nights of glamping at The Quiet Site, Cumbria

Sustainable award-winning, The Quiet Site, in the heart of the Lake District, is offering two nights of glamping in a Gingerbread House. Sleeping up to two adults and four children, it is sited to enjoy lovely views across Ullswater and the surrounding fells all year round. The state-of-the-art facilities are minutes from world class Lake District attractions. www.thequietsite.co.uk

£1,200 or more

'Waypoint' marine painting by Anthony Garratt

'Waypoint' 70x90 cm, oil on linen, with a gallery price of £3000, is offered to Friends of the Dart supporters at a special price! The painting, a fictional depiction of the feeling of arriving after a night voyage - a mix of relief to be within landfall & sadness that the adventure is nearing an end. www.agarratt.com View here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/friends-of-the-dart---fundraiser/updates/212807?exp=exp-pledge&expv=A#star

Payment and personal details are protected