Sunseeker International is sponsoring the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) 2021 South Coast Challenge with cyclists conquering 210 miles across three days from July 9 along one of the most beautiful UK coastlines.

A team of four Sunseeker employees will participate in the challenge to help raise funds for BLUE, a UK-based charity dedicated to restoring the world’s oceans to health by establishing marine protected areas and tackling overfishing. BLUE aims to see at least 30% of oceans under affective protection by 2030.

The challenge will take riders through two areas of outstanding natural beauty, three national parks, and some of the most iconic coastline in the UK.

As part of the challenge, which starts in Hamble, Hampshire and ends in Plymouth, Devon, riders will visit three BLUE projects along the route to see first-hand some of the great work made possible by the money raised from the challenge. They will also stop off on Poole Quay, the home of Sunseeker International.

The projects include the Solent Oyster Restoration project, helping to restore oyster beds that filter the water column and provide habitats for hundreds of species. This project has already seen some fantastic results, with 12 dedicated sites and 69,000 native oysters returning to the Solent. Riders will also visit the charity's flagship project Lyme Bay.

BLUE has developed a win-win model that benefits the marine environment and has resulted in a 52% increase in species through a sustainable fishing programme.

Lastly, the challenge will take them to the Plymouth Marine Park, the first maritime national park in the UK, which aims to involve people in the stewardship of UK coastal waters and bring a wealth of benefits to deprived coastal communities.

Andrea Frabetti, CEO at Sunseeker International, said: "We at Sunseeker are delighted to be working with BLUE again after our successful Project Menorca programme. We are pleased to sponsor such an exciting challenge close to our home in both Poole and Portland. The work BLUE does is fantastic, and we are looking forward to cheering on our team along the way as they conquer this challenge and raise much-needed funds to support the future of ocean conservation."

BLUE and Sunseeker devised Project Menorca in 2018 to help create a tangible difference in protecting the marine environment in Menorca. Today, it is recognised as a pioneering programme, providing a blueprint for best practice worldwide.

The project supported local fishers by creating sustainable fishing methods. Also, the project worked to remove plastics and ghost nets from the sea and distributed recyclable materials across the island.

The project ran for just over two years and saw the implementation of a widespread education programme, a reduction in single-use plastics by local fishmongers, 143 beach cleans, and 13.5 tonnes of plastic cleared from the island.

To support the South Coast Cycle Challenge Sunseeker team, please visit: bluemarinefoundation.enthuse.com/pf/sunseeker-1e352.

For more information on the projects run by BLUE, please visit: www.bluemarinefoundation.com.

Rider’s route:

Friday July 9: Hamble > Weymouth (80 miles)

Saturday July 10: Weymouth > Exmouth (68 miles)

Sunday July 11: Exmouth > Plymouth (50 miles) (sprinters route) or 62 miles (climbers route via Dartmoor)