IFGL becomes Manx Telecom Parish Walk’s Sustainability Partner

International Financial Group Limited (IFGL), which owns the RL360, Friends Provident International Limited and Ardan International brands, has been appointed the official Sustainability Partner of the Manx Telecom Parish Walk. The partnership has been agreed for a three-year period as the hugely popular event steps up its commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

The Island’s biggest mass participation sporting occasion, the Parish Walk draws between 1,200 and 1,500 participants every year to walk the 85-mile course through towns, villages and countryside.  It takes place this year on Saturday 18^th June.

Given the size of the event, the waste created in the past, especially around plastic water bottles, has been considerable and IFGL is working with the organisers to tackle the issue and take a greener approach.

As well as encouraging walkers and their support crews to think about what they bring along on the day and minimise the creation of rubbish, IFGL has helped the Parish Walk to introduce a new waste disposal system. This will involve three types of bins being made available at various points around the course, clearly marked for general waste, compostable materials and recyclable material.

In another innovation for this year - and in an effort to reduce the amount of single use plastics - all walkers will be provided with a reusable, foldable and light SpeedCup sponsored by Mann Made Group when they sign on for the race. These can be filled at the various feeding stations around the course.

Compostable Vegware cups will also be available at the feeding stations.

To help optimise the new arrangements, IFGL has assisted event organisers to create an instructional video for walkers that will be played at the pre-event registration sessions. It will also be sent as a link to all competitors and their support teams ahead of this year’s event.

IFGL has offices in Douglas and Castletown and employs around 550 staff.

The Group’s Marketing Director Simon Barwell said, “We’re proud to play a part in making one of the Isle of Man’s signature events more environmentally friendly.

“It’s a hugely successful event – a lot of our staff take part, in fact Ardan’s Head of Operations Richard Gerrard is synonymous with the Parish Walk, having won it an outstanding five times since 2012.”

Parish Walk Race Director Raymond Cox added: “We’ve been planning a move towards a more sustainable Parish Walk for some time and now, with the help of our Sustainability Partner IFGL, we’re making it a reality.

“We’d ask that all those involved support us in our efforts and help us by not leaving anything behind in our beautiful Manx countryside except their footprints.”

Manx Telecom CEO Gary Lamb also welcomed IFGL’s involvement, saying, “The Parish Walk has always been very well-supported as it is such a great community occasion. It’s really good to see different businesses come on board to help with these environmental initiatives that allow everyone to enjoy the event but also to minimise its impact on our Island.”