Swimmers and paddlers are taking to the water for 5 miles from Aldeburgh to Orford, through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It’s a challenge, but all for a fantastic cause.

Our flotilla will be match-funded, so your fundraising is important to help us to reach our target and to make this flotilla a resounding success. By contributing to our flotilla you can help The Alde & Ore Estuary Trust to make a difference to preserve, improve and protect our estuary.

A catastrophic flood is just a bad storm surge away.

The river walls were first built in the late Middle Ages, the last major rebuild followed the 1953 floods. The increase in sea levels, extreme weather events, and the natural deterioration of the walls highlights the urgent need to upgrade our defences against a catastrophic flood.

The Threat

Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the 44km of river walls provide a crucial defence. The estuary, encompassing a rich, natural and diverse habitat, is home to spoonbills, water voles, avocets and other protected species.

Each winter the Alde and Ore experiences storm surges. Within the estuary environment are local communities, homes and businesses, over 1000 buildings, more than 100km of public and permissive paths, 3335 hectares of farmland, and underground freshwater reserves servicing a further 7800 acres.

The estuary is part of a bid for UNESCO World Heritage site status for the Atlantic flyway, protecting threatened wading birds like godwits and curlews. It is also a wetland of international importance - Ramsar Convention.

A breach in the clay walls would be catastrophic for people and for the environment.

Above: Breached river walls along the Alde and Ore estuary. Photo credit, Mike Page.

The Solution

In January 2023, the Environment Agency (EA) approved funding for the Upper Estuary and work has begun to raise, widen and strengthen the river walls. Once upgraded, these resilient river defences will be able to withstand a 1 in 75 year flood event (1.33% chance), even when overtopped.

The EA will provide a grant for the Lower Estuary, but we need funds to bridge the gap between what the EA will give, and how much the Lower Estuary will cost.

We now need your help to raise funds to better protect the whole estuary.

Whether you are a participant or a supporter, please do donate as generously as you can.

Watch the video below showing the start of the 2022 Fundraising Flotilla, filmed by Mark Halligan.