BEACH Buddies has had a wonderful surprise and a great donation, thanks to Ernie Russell, owner of Governor’s Hill Spar store in Onchan.

Customers have been paying 5p for their shopping bags, and it was decided that the small profit on each bag would be donated to a worthy local charity, and this time the store chose Beach Buddies.

Ernie Russell said, “We want to say thanks to the customers for their support, and also to let them know which charity has benefitted. We are delighted to be able to make a donation of £1,500, this time to Beach Buddies, which we consider to be a really worthy cause.”

Bill Dale said, “Ernie is a friend going back many years to school days, and it was a great gesture when he chose to make the donation to Beach Buddies, after I bumped into him a few months ago.

“Sincere thanks to all the customers at the store and to Ernie Russell for choosing Beach Buddies to receive the donation. This was a really great surprise and a very generous donation.”

• The photograph shows Ernie Russell (right) and store manager Mark Garbett (left) handing over the cheque outside the store to Beach Buddies founder Bill Dale.