Beach Buddies has again been hit by vandals, with one of its brand new rubbish bins targeted at Fleshwick Bay.

The charity only placed the bin at Fleshwick three weeks ago, but over the weekend of June 11th-12th vandals attempted to set it on fire.

The ?500 metal bin was not seriously damaged, but the bin’s liner and the rubbish inside were badly affected.

It’s not the first time the Beach Buddies charity has found itself the target of vandals and thieves and it’s the second time someone has attempted to set a bin on fire.

The previous attempt was last winter at Port Soderick, following which the bin was also thrown into the nearby river. Beach Buddies also had items stolen from outside its visitor centre at Niarbyl earlier last year.

“Nothing surprises us any more,” said Beach Buddies founder Bill Dale. “We believe we are doing something positive for the Isle of Man’s environment and wildlife, but it looks like there are still plenty of idiots around who don’t like what we do.

“What these people should realise is that we are fast approaching having 7,000 volunteers who support us, and thousands more who use our bins all across the Island. Anyone who vandalises one of our bins is making a lot of enemies in the process.”

Beach Buddies has placed another ten bins to beach access points across the Island in the last three weeks, at a cost of ?500 each. The charity aims to have 50 bins by the end of this, its 10th anniversary year, and will expand its operations inland to cover access points to glens, plantations and footpaths. Bin sponsorship information can be obtained from beachbuddiesisleofman@gmail.com. 

Photo - Rubbish on Fleshwick Beach before the Beach Buddies bin was installed.