Daphne and Tony Wakefield lost their daughter from polio in 1957 after she had swum in sewage polluted water. They spent much of their lives subsequently campaigning for an improvement in the quality of coastal bathing waters. They formed a charity (the Coastal Anti-Pollution League) as a vehicle for their campaign. Tony and Daphne believed that public ignorance of the problem had to be corrected and one of their greatest successes was the charity’s annual publication of the forerunner to the Good Beach Guide, now published by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). The Coastal Anti-Pollution League was incorporated into MCS when Daphne retired.

purpose
The purpose of the award is to encourage research or study that will contribute to clean seas and beaches, sustainable fisheries and marine life protection in the UK.

amount For the period March 2008 until September 2008 the award will be £1,000.

who is eligible?
There is no restriction on eligibility but the Marine Conservation Society believes that final year undergraduate or postgraduate students who are studying subjects related to the coastal and marine environment, where their course-related project or dissertation will satisfy the criteria, are most likely to qualify.

how to apply
Applicants are invited to send MCS a précis of not more than 1000 words describing the research or study they intend to carry out that will support the protection or more sustainable management of marine and coastal environments within the UK. The Award can be spent in any way that supports the individual in pursuing and completing their research or study. Applications should be countersigned by a referee (for university applicants this could be the relevant academic department head).

Applications are invited by 31st January 2008 for research or study to be carried out between March 1st and September 30th 2008. A report on the outcomes of the research or study will be required no later than September 30th.

The decision of the MCS in the granting of the award will be final.