Finishing the Parish Walk wasn't enough of a challenge for Friends Provident International (FPI) employee Ashley Cowin. A few weeks after completing the 85-mile endurance test he was also a member of the FPI team that took part in a 24-hour walking marathon at the National Sports Centre. Ashley, who works as a Customer Services Technician at the Castletown-based company, handed over two cheques totalling ?1,025 which were raised by finishing the Parish Walk and were donated to the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association. He collected ?525 from sponsorship and that figure was matched up to ?500 by his employers. In August, Ashley joined a Friends Provident International team which took part in a 24-hour walking marathon to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The Relay For Life event took place at the NSC and a team of 24 staff took up the challenge. They raised ?300 for Cancer Research UK with that total including funds collected by team members who set up a cake stall at the company's Royal Court offices in Castletown. Howard Pilley, Treasurer of the Isle of Man Anti Cancer Association, thanked Ashley and Friends Provident International for the donation. He said the funds would go towards supporting many of the major hospitals, organisations and research bodies that are actively working in the field of cancer research. In addition, the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association contributes to the Island's community by working closely with Noble's Hospital and other organisations. Friends Provident International has a number of schemes which help employees raise funds for charities. The 'Friends Raise' programme matches money raised from sponsorship up to a maximum of ?500. 'Friends Give' is a scheme which matches employees' charity contributions via the payroll up to a maximum of ?20 per month. Employees who do voluntary work for charities can also apply for grants from the 'Friends Volunteer' scheme which can provide donations of up to ?500 for the charity of their choice. There are also grants available to schools which have Friends Provident International staff on the board of governors. - Ends -