A Christmas 'present' from Friends Provident International has provided the children of Victoria Road School in Castletown with new sports equipment.

The Castletown-based company gave the school a ?250 goodwill Christmas donation which has been used to boost supplies of rugby balls, skipping ropes, hula hoops and a megaphone!

'Recreational activity is an extremely important part of the school curriculum and FPI’s donation has been put to excellent use,' said Headteacher Simon Jones.

'FPI have been very supportive to the school, not just with this but also as part of their initiative ‘Friends in the Community’, where members of staff come to read with the pupils. This latest donation is also greatly appreciated.'

Friends Provident also made three further ?250 Christmas donations: the Isle of Man Children’s Centre used theirs for an Education Provision in the Community Project trip for local youngsters; residents of the Castletown and Malew Elderly Persons Complex enjoyed a trip to the Gaiety Theatre to see 'Cabaret'; and Castletown Commissioners will use their donation either to upgrade the wildlife identification plaque in Victoria Road or for a clock at the town hall.

Friends Provident International General Manager Jonathan Hall said it was good to see the donations being put to such practical use: 'Our aim was to make money available to benefit a cross-section of our local community and we are delighted to lend our support where possible.'

Pictured: Simon Jones, Headteacher of Victoria Road School, with some of the school's pupils.