Two northern charities have each received cheques for ?730 following the efforts of first-time Parish Walker Tim Baker.
Tim (46), Group Finance Director and Senior Executive Director of the Union Mills-based manufacturing company DLP Limited – reached Andreas, a distance of 55.5 miles, in the 2012 event. He decided to divide the sponsorship money obtained from family, friends, work colleagues and DLP itself, between the Northern Live at Home Scheme and the Factory Youth Project in Ramsey.
Said Tim: ‘I chose these two charities for a number of reasons. I live in Glen Auldyn and thought it would be good to support two locally-based organisations. They are at opposite ends of the age spectrum with the Factory Youth Project catering for those in the 11-18 years bracket, whilst the Live at Home Scheme is concerned with supporting our more elderly residents who are living in their own homes – which also fits well with what we do at DLP.’
The cheques were presented by Tim at a ceremony in DLP’s Snugborough offices attended by Jo Dixon, manager of the Northern Live at Home Scheme and Pastor Des Deehan representing the Youth Project which is operated by Church on the Rock. The Northern operation is one of six live at home schemes active in the Island. It runs social groups and helps with assisted shopping, whilst also helping provide transport to essential appointments. However, its main function is to combat loneliness and its 55 volunteers look after the interests of 62 registered members with the emphasis placed on one-to-one befriending. The group recently launched a new initiative in conjunction with Ramsey Grammar School under which sixth form pupils – after undergoing a training process – visit older members of the community in their homes.
Pastor Deehan explained that the Factory Youth Project had been set up about eight years ago with the aim of offering a safe environment for the youth of the area to enjoy facilities such as a cafe bar and lounge area, pool tables, a computer room with play stations, as well as table football games. He added: ‘While giving our young people somewhere to go on a Friday night it also provides us with an opportunity to build relationships with them and offer advice to point them in the right direction for life generally.’
As befits a competitive sportsman – Tim plays First Division table tennis for the Tower Club – he is already making plans for the 2013 Parish Walk with the objective of going beyond Andreas. He said: ‘My first target was to reach halfway which I achieved and now I would like to see how much further I can go. The Parish Walk is a fantastic event which involves the whole community. Children offer you sweets, all the spectators are so encouraging and it is really a family occasion, which shows the Island in such a great light.’
