Beach volleyball players from 20 companies in the property sector have helped to raise £15,000 for two hospice charities in championships organised by lender MSP Capital.

This is the fourth year in a row that the Poole-based firm has staged the event on Bournemouth beach with proceeds split equally between Julia’s House and Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.

The contribution from this year takes the total raised since the inaugural contest in 2022 to more than £55,000.

Leigh Bartlett, Chief Executive of MSP Capital, said:

“This was another great event that brought people from across the property sector together in aid of two brilliant charities in our heartland. Every year the championships serve as an opportunity for us to give back to the community in a way that enables people to have fun and network on the sand.”

Leigh’s comments were echoed by colleague Rachel Bartlett, MSP Capital’s Head of Marketing & People, who said: ““Thank you to every single competitor who took part and all the companies that entered teams. Once again, everyone had a great time and got into the competitive spirit all in support of Lewis-Manning and Julia’s House.”

Both charities voiced praise and gratitude for the event at a time when the costs of hospice care are continuing to increase.

Caroline Attreed, Corporate Fundraiser for Julia’s House, a Dorset and Wiltshire children’s hospice which provides specialist care to those with life-limiting and complex conditions, said:

“The work that MSP Capital puts into this competition is phenomenal. It is such a great local event, bringing businesses together to have fun while making such a difference to their local community."

"The donation raised helps Julia’s House to bring clinical care, fun, laughter and compassion to the children we support. And to give exhausted parents a much-needed respite break from around-the-clock care, with the peace of mind their child is in safe hands.”

Likewise, Vicki Gray, Head of Fundraising at Dorset based Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, an independent charity that supports local people and their families facing a life-limiting illness, said:

“The beach volleyball event is always such an amazing day, loads of fun, a bit of friendly competition, and a chance for local businesses to connect. But most importantly, it helps raise awareness and support for two amazing local hospice charities."

"The funds raised will go a long way towards helping provide hospice care to those that need it. Huge credit to MSP Capital for organising another incredibly successful event. Every organisation and player involved has really helped make a big difference to so many people in our community.”

At the event, six-a-side, mixed teams competed in ‘pool’ matches, with the top scorers going into a knockout stage starting with quarter finals.

Last year’s finalists, accounting and consulting firm RSM, went one better this year and took the gold medal after beating financial advice specialists Interpath Advisory 38-16.

Darren Slater, RSM’s Consulting Director, said after the final:

“We’re proud to be part of this fantastic competition. It’s important for us as a firm to support events with a charity angle. These championships are really well run and are in aid of two superb causes.”

As well as RSM and Interpath Advisory, companies and organisations entering teams this year were: AECOM, Blake Morgan, Clarke Willmott, Ellis Jones, Frettens Solicitors, Imperial Homes, Lester Aldridge LLP, Porter Dodson, Preston Redman, Quay Crew, Quostar, Rubicon, Saffery LLP, Travers Smith, Trethowans, Vail Williams, Venture Recruitment and Wellington King.

Beach volleyball specialist Deep Dish partnered with MSP Capital to run the championships with support on the day including a compere, referees and DJ.

Mohit Kerai, Event Manager for Deep Dish, said:

“We couldn’t stage this without MSP Capital’s manpower and financial support. The firm’s team, especially Rachel Bartlett, have been of enormous help.”

Mohit added that the day had set the scene perfectly for the UK Beach Tour’s Grand Slam Finals, which were also supported by Deep Dish and which this year had MSP Capital as headline sponsor.

The Grand Slam saw top beach volleyball players from around the country pair up for three days of elite competition at the same location by Bournemouth Pier.