Leading international corporate service provider SMP Partners has chosen Finley’s Tracks to be its Charity of the Year for 2015.
Finley’s Tracks was set up by the parents of Finley Hesketh, who was last year diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a life-limiting progressive neuromuscular disorder which results in muscle degeneration. Mum and Dad, Kirstie and Clive, of Onchan established the charity to raise awareness of DMD, assist others with the condition in the Isle of Man and fundraise for a special wheelchair Finley will eventually need.
In a vote before Christmas, staff selected the charity to benefit from fundraising activities throughout the year. It was a fitting choice as Kirstie used to work at SMP Partners.
The first event was the SMP Partners annual staff party, which raised ?7,268. Held in a marquee in Noble’s Park, Douglas, the Harry Potter-themed party was attended by more than 220 employees and partners.
Organised by Switched On Events, the party included performances by a magician and local band The Waltons.
Raffle and auction prizes and lots were donated by businesses including: Barclays Bank IOM & London, Bridson & Horrox, Cannon Hygiene Manx, Cayman International, Cu-Plas Callow (IOM) Ltd, Descon Ltd, DHL, Edward Bryan Removals, Elegance Taxis, Equilibrium Yoga, Eye Spy Security, FCX, Governance Matters Ltd, Karen Yates, M&P Legal, Mannin Media Group, Manx Business Solutions Ltd, Manx Pole Dance & Fitness,, Manx Telecom, Merrill Lynch, Nedbank, Newfield Ltd, PokerStars, RBS International, Robinsons, Speedy Parking, Standard Bank, Switched On Entertainment, Synapse 360, The Caff, The Chartroom Chippy, Thomas Miller Investments, Titley’s Cleaners, Tynwald Pies Ltd, Typhoon House, Words and Spaces, 14 North and 7th Wave.
Mark Denton, Managing Director of SMP Partners, said: ‘Finley’s Tracks is a new, but important charity. It is working to raise awareness of a little-understood but devastating condition, as well as providing equipment for Finley.
‘The amount raised at our annual party is a great way to get 2015 started, and we hope that the money we raise at events throughout the rest of the year will help the group achieve its aims, as well as helping to raise public understanding and awareness of DMD. I would also like to thank all our friends in the various businesses that donated prizes for their generosity and support.’
Finley’s mum Kirstie added: ‘As a new and small charity, to receive the support of a company like SMP Partners means a huge amount. The substantial donation from the staff party will make a very real difference to our work, taking us closer to achieving our goals of raising awareness and providing support for people living with DMD.’
‘Over the year I look forward to working with SMP Partners as we raise funds and increases awareness of DMD and I’d like to thank the staff for choosing us as their 2015 Charity of the Year.’
Photo - Rachael Chapman (left) and Mark Denton of SMP Partners present Kirstie and Finley Hesketh with the first donation to the company’s 2015 Charity of the Year, Finley’s Tracks.
