An auction of local produce and a raffle at this year’s Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival has raised ?1,250 for Manx Radio’s Dream Catcher Appeal. This appeal is used to fund requests for products or services and is administered by a Not For Profit charitable Trust – all the money raised is used to support deserving causes on the Isle of Man.
The Festival’s Planning Committee is grateful to MostlyManx for running a raffle which raised ?600 towards the appeal and to producers who donated gifts to the local produce auction. These included: Manx Gas, the Festival’s Gold Sponsor, MostlyManx, Laxey Glen Mills, Cocoa Red, Isle of Man Meats, Isle of Man Creamery, Staarvey Farm, Apple Orphanage, Ballakilley Farm, Jill Manning, Farmer’s Market, Davison’s Ice Cream and Greeba Farm. A brisk auction was led by Peter Quayle with bidders going away with some mouth watering prizes including a year’s supply of ice cream, hampers of local produce and even a Manx turkey for Christmas. Other items included a brand new tumble drier from Manx Gas and a very unusual tea service with a charming Geisha revealed in the base of the cup.
DEFA Minister, Phil Gawne MHK said: “the Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival is designed to help local producers and provide an enjoyable experience for its visitors and it is heartening to learn that it has also made a substantial contribution to another aspect of Manx life through the Dream Catcher Appeal. I am very grateful to all the participants whose generosity made this possible – and I am sure that those who bid for the various contributions are very happy with their purchases”.
Dream Catcher administrator Nicola Whyment said: “The committee of The Dream Catcher Appeal would like to thank the companies and public for their generosity during this year’s Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival. This is one of our biggest donations to date, and comes at the time of the year when the charity receives the most requests for help. The Dream Catcher Appeal supports charities, individuals and organisations on the Isle of Man by a donation of a gift rather than cash and such a generous donation like this means many more Dreams can be granted. For this we are extremely grateful to DEFA and the team for all their hard work in organising such a fantastic event”.
Photo caption - from left; Kim Etherton DEFA Local Food Marketing Manager presenting the donation cheque to Nicola Whyment, Dream Catcher appeal administrator.
