Douglas beach moved a few hundred metres inland last week.

But it was all for a good cause as employees at two of the island’s leading businesses raised buckets of cash for two Manx charities.

A beach party themed event, organised by Old Mutual International and The Stars Group, was held at King Edward Bay House in Onchan where both companies have their offices.

Everyone was encouraged to turn up for work wearing their brightest summer outfits, and had the chance to take selfies in the reception area which was decorated with fun beach scenes to use as backdrops, as well as beach balls, paddling pools and other holiday items.

The event raised a total of £678 which will be divided equally between Crossroads Care Isle of Man and Beach Buddies, the chosen charities of Old Mutual International and The Stars Group respectively.

The money was raised after generous employees from both companies shelled out in a raffle to win one of two summer hampers - and in a competition to guess how many sweets were contained within a giant flip-flop shaped piñata.

No trip to the beach is complete without an ice cream, so two ice cream vans also turned up outside King Edward Bay House and proved to be very popular.

campaign

In January this year, Old Mutual International - which is the international arm of Quilter plc - launched a three year campaign to make a significant impact on the lives of young carers via a partnership with Crossroads Care.

This followed a decision by Quilter plc employees about how The Quilter Foundation (a registered UK charity which aims to help young people overcome barriers to prosperity) should target its resources.

An overwhelming majority chose young carers, and a £1.5 million initiative to support young carers in the UK was then announced by The Quilter Foundation, and here in the Isle of Man it was decided to support the work of Crossroads Care.

Old Mutual International has already donated £15,000 to Crossroads Care, and that sum is funding a young carers support worker.

Funds were also used to organise a Young Carers’ Festival last month [July], and other plans are in place to enable Crossroads Care to expand the scope of the Young Carers Project in 2020 and 2021.

Earlier this year The Stars Group donated £7,500 to Beach Buddies to fund 80 wheelie bins, which will be located in plantations and glens around the island.

This latest donation forms part of a long-term programme of community support in the island that resulted in more than £1 million donated to a local causes since 2012.