Britannia International, part of The Co-operative Bank, recently held a family fun day at the Strand Centre with facepainting, balloons, live music and competitions for young and old alike.  The fun day also raised £125 for the bank’s Charity of the Year, the Special Care Baby Unit at Nobles Hospital. 
 
One particular highlight of the event was a 90-minute acoustic gig by Panicland.  Sarah Jarvis, from Britannia International’s Marketing team, comments: “Panicland is part of the Soundcheck project, one of the Manx community initiatives supported by Britannia International.  Band members Lily, Chris and Ffinlo came along to the fun day and treated the watching crowd in the Strand Centre to a great set, with their own songs and some fabulous covers.  Each of them even agreed to have a little ladybird painted on their face – it’s the symbol of Britannia International!”
 
The happy winners of the competitions were invited to Britannia International’s Athol Street branch to receive their prizes.  There were two winners of the ladybird colouring competition – Erin Quayle, aged 3, and Alexis French, aged 9.  The winners of the ladybird wordsearch competition were Emma-Leigh Weimar, aged 6, and Euan Bate, aged 8.  Each of the successful youngsters won a special toy for doing so well. 
 
There were also victors in two other competitions: Anna Quirk successfully guessed the number of chocolate coins on display, and won a big jar of silver-foiled treats.  Sue Christie’s name was picked at random from 60 entries in the prize draw, and wins £100 in Co-operative vouchers.  Sue plans on spending her vouchers on some indulgent Fairtrade chocolate and fizz.

Image Caption: Pictured with Sarah Jarvis from Britannia International are (L to R) Emma-Leigh, Erin, Anna (with her children) and Euan. Alexis and Sue received their prizes on another day