About 150 local older people will receive chocolates as a Christmas gift thanks to a donation from Grant Thornton.
 
The firm has teamed up with charity Age Isle of Man to ensure there’s a special treat for the charity’s customers this festive season. The donated chocolates will be distributed by Age Isle of Man’s Meals on Wheels service during its rounds in the run-up to Christmas Day.
 
Dennis McGurgan, Managing Director of Grant Thornton in the Isle of Man, said: ‘I’m delighted we are working with Age Concern to give users of the charity’s extremely valuable Meals on Wheels service a little gift this Christmas. As we are surrounded by friends and family during the festive season, it is easy to forget that, for some, it can be a very lonely time. Hopefully this gesture will assure some of the older members of our Island community that they are being thought of.’
 
Age Isle of Man Chief Executive Helen Southworth added:  ‘We’re thrilled by the support of Grant Thornton, which has helped make it possible to bring a little extra Christmas cheer to our Meals on Wheels customers this festive season. I know the chocolates will be welcomed by some of the older people in our community this Christmas.’
 
Meanwhile, Grant Thornton staff have been busy supporting community projects and raising money for charity.
 
Senior Tax Manager Raj Nandha was one of four volunteer judges at the Isle of Man heat of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales National Business and Accounting event, known as BASE, at the Villa Marina.
 
BASE links schools, students and employers to develop employability skills and provide an insight into what a career in accountancy, business and finance might be like. The Island heat, organised by the Isle of Man Society of Chartered Accountants with ICAEW, saw 10 local schools take part, with each team assuming the role of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. The students had two hours to analyse a business situation, before presenting their ideas to a panel of business professionals including Raj.
 
He said: ‘I was really impressed with the teams’ performances throughout the day, including their teamwork, understanding of the business case study presented to them, sorting through all the information, and providing advice and recommendations supported by ethical and financial reasoning. It is clear that these students have an instinct for business.’
 
Two Grant Thornton teams entered a quiz organised by Lloyds Bank to raise money for the Diana Princess of Wales Care at Home Trust, with one finishing in the runner-up spot. All money raised by the quiz will assist the Trust to continue offering palliative care to patients in their own homes.
 
Staff also raised money with a series of dress down days during the year, with the total being rounded up to ?450 by the firm. The cash will be split between the RNLI, Special Care Baby Unit and Hyperbaric Chamber. Funds raised during dress down days in December will all be donated to Save the Children, which on 12th December encouraged people to wear a festive jumper to work to raise money for its life-saving efforts around the world.
 
Mr McGurgan added: ‘As a firm, we believe it is very important to play an active role in our community, and I’d like to say well done to all my colleagues on their efforts.’
 
Photo - (from left) Grant Thornton Director Michael Crowe, Age Isle of Man Chief Executive Helen Southworth and Dennis McGurgan, Managing Director of Grant Thornton in the Isle of Man.