Local fiduciary and fund services provider donates over ?1,000 to local charity
Local fiduciary and fund services provider, Abacus, has donated an early 40th birthday present to Manx Gateway, an local Isle of Man registered charity that provides social clubs for individuals 16 years and over with additional learning and special needs.
A total of ?1336 was raised by the Douglas based company; ?331 was raised during a bucket collection at the opening night of Tommy, a recent theatre production performed at the Isle of Man’s Gaiety Theatre earlier this year and ?1,005 was raised by the company’s staff salary deduction scheme and fundraising initiatives, including a raffle and cake bake sale.
Manx Gateway was established in 1974 to provide an environment for those with learning difficulties and special needs to socialise with one another.
40 years on, it is still led by founding member and volunteer, John Quayle and continues to provide an opportunity for its members (currently around 100 individuals) to engage in social evenings of chat, art, sport and dance. It also holds a drama group which produces 2-3 productions each year.
Founding Member and Lead Volunteer at Manx Gateway, John Quayle, said: “We would like to express our huge thanks to Abacus for their kind support, we are overwhelmed that they chose Manx Gateway as their charity for the quarter. On behalf of the volunteers and the members, I would like to thank them for their donation, which will prove very valuable in our upcoming initiatives. As a founder member of the charity, I have seen the charity develop considerably over the years and cannot believe that we will be celebrating our 40th birthday at the end of June. Without donations like this we would have struggled to get where we have today.”
Lesley Johnston and Lorraine Boyd presented the cheque to Manx Gateway on behalf of Abacus at the charity social club’s recent Easter Party, where they were also asked to judge the charity’s Easter Bonnet competition.
Lesley Johnston said: “Abacus and its staff continue to support local charities through their Corporate Responsibility Committee initiatives and Staff Charity Salary Deduction Scheme every quarter. It is lovely to get the opportunity to see where the money we raise and donate actually goes and furthermore to meet those that truly benefit from it.”
Lorraine Boyd added: “It was wonderful to hear about the support and services Manx Gateway provides and to have a tour of their facilities. Moreover, it was great to have the opportunity and pleasure of meeting some of its members and to witness the enjoyment and freedom that the Manx Gateway social clubs affords them.”
Manx Gateway meets at Centre 21 in Douglas. Their social club opens almost every Tuesday of the year between 7-9pm and the Gateway Drama Group meet on a Thursday evening. For more information on Manx Gateway please contact Jane Fox by email at jane_fox@manx.net or by telephone on +44 7624 424731.
IMAGE: Lesley Johnston and Lorraine Boyd of Abacus present the cheque to members of Manx Gateway.
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