Staff from professional services firm KPMG Isle of Man have raised over ?1450 for the local branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) with a sponsored walk. The event took place on Douglas Promenade earlier this year and was to support the national MNDA campaign Walk to D’Feet, a regular event put on at various locations around the UK throughout the year. Over thirty of KPMG’s staff collected individual sponsorships for taking part in the walk to raise the impressive overall sum. In addition to supporting a variety of charities and disaster responses as the need arises, the firm’s staff also select an annual beneficiary for which they raise money throughout the year. The Isle of Man branch of the MNDA was the firm’s choice for 2011 and they have already supported them with a Santa Dash in December. More events such as dress-down days, cake sales and a charity bingo night are planned for the future. Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive, fatal illness that can affect anyone, with life expectancy after the onset of symptoms between two to five years. While the cause is unknown and there is currently no cure, the MNDA seeks to provide support to people living with the disease. The money raised by KPMG goes towards equipment for MNDA patients such as recliner chairs and stair lifts, overnight nursing care to give carers a break and occasionally towards supporting research projects that might aid understanding of the disease, via the UK MNDA. Sinead O’Connor, a Senior Manager at KPMG, commented on the success of the event: “One of KPMG’s core values is our commitment to our communities and events like this show just how much our staff take that to heart. I was thrilled that we had such a high turnout from the staff and that we managed to raise a considerable amount for the charity, which does such valuable work. In the past we have supported the Children’s Centre, the Hospice and relief work for the Haitian disaster and I am proud of how well our staff respond to the challenge of supporting these important causes.” -ENDS-