We’ve never done PR on a pushbike before, but we have now!
We were asked by Luke Douglas-Home, aka The Coastline Runner, to help him manage both PR and his itinerary on his recent visit to Kent.
The environmentalist is on a one-man mission to run the length of the UK’s coastline as part of a campaign to highlight sea pollution, to make people think about the rubbish they leave on beaches.
He is also meeting people from local authorities, businesses and environmental groups to share best practice from around the rest of the UK, plus gather new ideas to take with him, knowing that sea pollution can be changed with an alteration in attitude and behaviour.
He also meets with primary school children, to impress on them the importance of cleaning up – but this young generation is usually already there in terms of knowing how to look after their environment.
Luke asked us to write a press release, send it to media and liaise with media to gain him news coverage, plus help put the finishing touches to his itinerary – including meet-ups with two schools and meeting local leaders at three different locations.
On the day, Sarah went along to ensure everyone was found, media had what they needed and social content was created.
But the 12km run was a little too much for her to keep up with, so she took her lockdown bicycle and kept up that way, which meant she didn’t get left behind but could also get ahead of them to create Instagram reel footage!
She said: “The whole PR project was a great one to be involved with and meeting Luke and his team over the last few weeks to get everything ready has seen some great teamwork.
“I’m so glad I took the bike – although 8 miles later, I was ready for a rest!
“I got to spend the day cycling the beautiful promenade from Folkestone to Hythe, including a detour into the coastal path – led by our amazing guide and font of all local knowledge, Cllr Jim Martin, the newly-elected leader of Folkestone and Hythe District Council.
“It’s a beautiful area and so sad that pollution makes its way into the sea, left by the people who presumably visit because it is so beautiful.”
Luke plans a return trip to Kent and we hope to support him again with both this PR and the rest of his journey.
