A close up of several native oysters being held by someone wearing orange gloves

1000 oyster challenge

Raise £810 in one year which could help grow 1000 baby oysters.
Sign up to the challenge

    Native oysters are tiny superheroes. Each oyster can filter up to 200 litres of water a day, removing pollutants, chemicals and particulates. By settling on other shells, they form living reefs that provide homes and nursery grounds for marine life and could double biodiversity within a decade.

    200

    Litres filtered each day by each oyster

    Across the UK, native oyster populations have declined by 95% and without active intervention, this species doesn’t stand a chance of recovery. We're partnering with local volunteers and organisations on a number of projects across the UK to reproduce healthy baby oysters and safely grow them before introducing them into the ocean. 

    That’s where you come in. With every 81p you raise, you could fund a baby oyster. With your help we can filter hundreds of thousands of litres of seawater every day, create vital habitats and protect the ocean for generations to come.

    About the 1000 oyster challenge

    By raising £810 in one year, you could fund 1000 baby oysters. Once grown and returned to their natural habitat, these unsung heroes could filter a whopping 73 million litres of water in a year - that’s the equivalent of 194 swimming pools (25m)!  

    You can fundraise in any way you like: from bake sales and sponsored walks to a sea swim, craft challenge or personal goal you’ve always wanted to achieve.

    Paul Holland is an ultramarathon runner, reef-keeper, and freshly minted Marine Conservation Society fundraiser. He's taking on a series of endurance events to support our work. Motivated by David Attenborough’s Ocean, Paul has committed to pushing his limits while shining a spotlight on the urgent need to protect our seas.

    He said: "Every donation, no matter how small, helps the Marine Conservation Society continue their vital work protecting our blue planet.

    Fundraiser Paul Holland is pictured running along a path, dressed as an octopus, to raise money for the Marine Conservation Society

    Image credit: Paul Holland

    Please chip in, share, and help us turn the tide — one mile, one blister, and one reef at a time.

    Paul Holland, Fundraiser

    £3400

    raised so far

    4000

    native oysters could be funded

    16

    people signed up so far

    Support we provide

    Raising money can seem daunting, but we’ll be with you every step of the way. Once you’re signed up, you’ll receive a special fundraising pack filled with practical tips, creative inspiration and handy resources to help make your challenge a success. Our friendly fundraising team are only an email away if you have any questions or need ideas: [email protected]

    Once you’ve completed your challenge, you’ll receive a special certificate to celebrate your success. 

    And that’s not all. By raising £810 or more you’ll join our virtual wall of shell-abration, with each oyster representing a different oy-star who has completed the challenge.

    Volunteers and staff members from the DEEP project (Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project) scatter native oysters from a boat.

    Image credit: The Glenmorangie Company

    Oyster Native M 960.png

    Join the 1000 oyster challenge

    Are you ready to take on the challenge? Sign up now to receive your fundraising pack and dive in!

    Sign up today

    Oyster wall of fame

    Click on the oysters below to learn more about who's completed the challenge and how they raised £810.

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