A finance company has renewed its sponsorship of Beach Buddies, the charity that clears litter from shorelines.

Investment management and fund administration company, FIM Capital, based in Douglas is paying an undisclosed sum to the organisation.

The news comes as the charity, founded in 2007, looks back on another landmark year, which has seen it elevated onto an international stage with invitations to lecture across the world about its achievements which began with two volunteers and now has more than 11,600.

The most recent lecture took place at the British Science Museum in London with some 4,000 visitors.

’This is fantastic news for Beach Buddies,’ said founder Bill Dale. The fact that FIM Capital has provided some operational support as well as financial support is really good, and they have shown great enthusiasm in getting involved with a variety of beach cleaning events over past few years.

’This new arrangement shows that our achievements in the last few years have gained recognition widely across the Island and further afield.

’I have known a number of the staff for many years and it was very clear after their first year of support that FIM Capital genuinely want to help us and really appreciate what we are doing. We gave a presentation to the company’s senior management and they could not have been more positive. It was immediately apparent that they share our concerns about pollution of the marine environment and want to do something positive about it.

’The FIM team have also demonstrated their willingness to roll their sleeves up with some dedicated beach cleaning events at some of the more challenging locations, such as the recent one near Port Grenaugh.’

Russell Collister, FIM Capital chief investment officer, said the company looked on the continuing sponsorship as an opportunity to give financial support and also to assist with enhancing the profile of Beach Buddies and to help the charity spread the word around the world about how to solve the problem of marine litter.

He said: ’We immediately helped the charity with protecting its intellectual property and continue to provide administrative assistance. We don’t just want to be the name behind Beach Buddies. We genuinely want to be involved in the organisation and to be there to help in any way we can as it continues to move forward.

’Our staff, many of whom enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits on the island, have been very supportive and have happily participated in a series of beach cleaning events. The initial decision was very well received throughout the company, and we are very pleased to now be well-entrenched as the headline sponsor of FIM Capital Beach Buddies.’