pat smith - action nan

Community and Voluntary Action, Everyday Life   

Suggested by Jenny Rendle & Oskar Riches, 11  

Pat Smith, aka Action Nan, has achieved remarkable milestones as an environmental activist and entrepreneur.
She is a Litter Heroes Ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy and the founder of Final Straw Cornwall, campaigning against plastic pollution.  Pat walked the entire Cornwall coast path, raising funds for RNLI.
She has established three litter picking groups in the St Austell area and inspired children about recycling through her appearance on CBeebies Fred & Pete’s Treasure Trails. As the owner of the award-winning Bosinver Farm Cottages, Pat promotes sustainable tourism.
Her TEDx talk, "Somebody Should Do Something!" inspires activism nationwide and her campaign, Final Straw Cornwall, led to real legislative change, proving how one person can make a big difference. 

Oskar says,
“Pat Smith, or Action Nan, is really important to me because she taught me about litter picking and why it’s so important to care for the planet. She has amazing stories to share, and I love listening to them, they inspire me to do more to help.  To me, she’s like the Cornish version of David Attenborough!  Pat’s work, like walking the entire Cornwall coast path and teaching kids on CBeebies about recycling, makes her a real hero. Thanks to Pat, I’ll always talk to my friends at school about the little things we can all do to help.” 

Jenny adds, 
“Action Nan embodies the power of one person to drive meaningful change. Her dedication to environmental issues shows how grassroots efforts can make a big impact. She is committed, inspirational, engaging, active and empowering.
She reminds me that anyone can step up and make a difference. Beyond her activism, her love for her family drives her efforts, and that personal connection makes her work even more meaningful.
Pat’s passion and energy remind us all to care for our planet.” 

Final Straw Cornwall⁠