A Ramsey software company has “answered the prayers” of the charity Beach Buddies with the donation of a replacement vehicle for its beach cleaning activities across the Isle of Man.

Having witnessed four different vehicles being scrapped during eight years of operation, Beach Buddies had reached a critical point when its sixth, an ancient high mileage people-carrier, expired in June.

“I had personally funded all the vehicles for Beach Buddies,” said chairman Bill Dale, “but I had reached the limit, and we had been running the organisation with whatever cheap vehicle I could find which had a tow bar.

“By the time the last one gave up the ghost, Beach Buddies had just been officially approved as a registered charity, and we had sent out some letters, in the hope that some kind person could help pay for a replacement to get us by.

“When AFD Software replied, and said they wanted to buy us a “proper” replacement which would last for several years it was the answer to our prayers.”

AFD Software, based in Ramsey, produces a range of Address Management software products, and invented the revolutionary programme ‘Postcode’ which saves 80% of keystrokes when entering addresses in call centres and on web sites.

David and Alison Dorricott, owners of AFD Software, invited the Beach Buddies’ trustees to their office and immediately offered to help.

“As leisure sailors, scuba divers and great lovers of the sea, we have been admiring the work of Beach Buddies for some time.  We managed to attend beach cleaning sessions in Ramsey and Port Mooar, so we had a good idea what they were all about, and we really like what they are doing for the environment and wildlife.

“The AFD Team was delighted to donate a vehicle, which we hope will prove reliable for many years and exactly matched to their needs.”

Beach Buddies sourced a Mitsubishi Warrior 4x4 truck through Mylchreest Motors, who have also donated free servicing of the vehicle for the next three years.

“It is the perfect vehicle for what we need,” added Bill Dale. “I’ll be honest - we have really struggled with all sorts of cars which were not really suitable for towing heavy trailers around the Island, but the Mitsubishi is built for exactly what we need.

“We are grateful to David and Alison Dorricott and all the team at AFD Software for their fantastic generosity. Instead of struggling to haul heavy loads of rubbish all over the Island, we now have a vehicle which is up to the job and stops us having to worry about the long-term future and reliability of what is the most important piece of equipment we need.

“To say our prayers were answered is a massive under-statement.”