The Mothers’ Union in the Isle of Man has been given a helping hand by the Collins Stewart Charitable Trust to help finance projects, including the creche at the prison, run by its 400 Island.

The charity in the Isle of Man receives ?4,000 from its head office in London to part fund a Development Worker, but must raise the additional cost itself.

The charity supports a number of initiatives and organisations associated with the family, including creches and the Women’s Refuge, and it also campaigns to improve the provision of nursery education in the island. 

Trained volunteers provide marriage preparation classes, and they have also supplied ‘virtual babies’ for the high schools. 

Helen Parry, diocesan president of the Mothers’ Union in the Isle of Man, said the generous ?1,000 donation had helped them to equip a creche at the newly constructed Isle of Man prison. 

"The money has helped with a specific scheme we are running enabling us to buy books, toys and uniforms for the prison creche which we have established this year.  The donation will also cover the travel costs for our volunteers getting to and from the prison.

"The prison was opened relatively recently in 2008 and we have been working with prison staff for the last twelve months. 

"As a result of this we are still trying to find our feet and the additional funding has helped us to concentrate on our main priority which is supporting marriage and family life," she said.

The donation by the Charitable Trust came after the Mothers’ Union responded to an offer of help by the Collins Stewart Charitable Trust in the local media. 

Dermot Hamill, head of Collins Stewart Wealth Management in the Isle of Man, said that the Charitable Trust is always on the lookout for worthwhile causes. 

"The Mothers’ Trust is an exceptionally good cause and one that requires constant contributions in order to continue to function.  With this donation we will be able to take the pressure off so that it can concentrate on what it does best," he said.