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BEM for Beach Buddies founder Bill

Bill Dale with canine buddy Goldie

Salute to success of clean-up project

The founder of a unique Manx charity has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen's New Year Honours list for his services to the Manx marine environment.

Bill Dale started Beach Buddies with just two volunteers more than 10 years ago.

The grass-roots project quickly caught the public imagination, and has since grown to see more than 5,000 people taking part in weekly beach cleaning sessions, removing debris and litter from around the Island's coast.

This year the group was lauded by UNESCO as a global example in coastal conservation, after the Island was designated a Biosphere Reserve.

Bill says he's humbled by the award and has paid tribute to all Beach Buddies' members who 'fill a bag and make a difference':

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