HIGH profile guest speakers have helped the Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club raise more than £30,000 for local charities.
15 charities have benefited from the club's quarterly fundraising dinners, which feature a famous after dinner speaker, since 2006.
This year the club has raised £2,885 by holding dinners hosted by mountaineering hero Joe Simpson and Gulf War hero John Peters.
Guests who attended the Joe Simpson dinner in July helped break the £30,000 barrier by raising £620 for the Diana Princess of Wales palliative care charity. This brought the total fundraising amount to £30,295.
The fundraising total will rise again when the money raised from the final event of the year – an evening with businesswomen and entrepreneur Michelle Mone OBE – is added to the kitty.
Kevin Cartledge, senior manager at HSBC who sponsor the dinner events, said: "I am delighted that HSBC has continued to support the Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club this year.
"The significant funds raised through these events are making a real difference to an amazing range of local charities we have nominated over the past five years.
"We're now looking forward to raising even more for deserving causes next year through the fantastic programme the club has put together."
John Wannenburgh from the Sporting and Dining Club added: "The inspirational speakers we have brought to the Isle of Man this year have certainly attracted huge interest from the public which has enabled us to raise an impressive amount particularly through the raffles held at the dinners.
"The programme is shaping up to be just as exciting for 2012 and, with HSBC's continued support, we are sure we can add to this sum even further next year."
The charities that have benefited from the money raised include the Manx Blind Welfare, Motor Neurone Disease (IoM), Isle of Man Anti Cancer Association, Breakthrough Breast Cancer (IoM), Friends of Laxey School, Special Care Baby Unit (Nobles), Victim Support (IoM), British Red Cross (IoM), Diana Princess of Wales Palliative Care, The Ark Nursery (Salvation Army), White Rose Trust (Hands of Hope), Age Concern (IoM), Mayoral Charity Fund, Manx Cancer Help and the Royal British Legion.
Photo by Brian Mitchell Photography
