Staff from Old Mutual International have donated over ?26,000 to two Isle of Man charities. Thanks to a year of fundraising by staff, Friends of the Hyperbaric Chamber and A Little Piece of Hope were each presented with a cheque for ?13,707.33.
With nearly 450 staff at its HQ in Onchan, Old Mutual International is one of the Island’s biggest private sector employers. Every year, employees nominate Isle of Man charities to support, and the most popular are chosen as the company’s charities of the year. During 2016 staff organised dress down days, bingo events, raffles, and cake bakes. Several employees took part in the Manx Telecom Parish Walk and raised funds from sponsorship. The culmination of the fundraising campaign was an Oscars-themed staff awards evening – in total, ?13,707 was raised during the year, and this sum was doubled thanks to the company’s match-funding scheme. The final total was split equally between the two charities.
Peter Kenny, Managing Director of Old Mutual International, thanked employees across the business for organising the fundraising campaign, and everyone who supported the events. He added: “As a responsible business and a major employer, we take our commitment to the local community very seriously. Our charities of the year scheme is one example of how we make a difference, and we’re delighted to support the excellent work of these Manx charities which contribute so much to the local community.”
The Friends of the Hyperbaric Chamber charity supports the Hyperbaric Medicine Facility in Douglas which provides therapy for divers, and patients suffering from injuries and chronic medical conditions. David Downie MBE, the charity’s Chairman and Operations Manager, commented: “Old Mutual International’s support over the past few years has not only been outstanding, but timely. The facility relies upon corporate and public donations to purchase new equipment and replace items that have reached the end of their useful life. When we had an opportunity to purchase a multiplace chamber at a knock-down price, but with a very short purchase window, Old Mutual International stepped in with a ?17,024 donation which was used as a deposit to secure the purchase, and this latest donation allows us to make the final payment. We truly appreciate their fundraising efforts.”
A Little Piece of Hope is a charity that helps bereaved parents, assists children travelling to hospital for treatment, and offers help to children with mental and physical disabilities.
Helen Sheppard, Founder of the A Little Piece of Hope charity, commented: “We were amazed by the amount raised by everyone at Old Mutual International over the past year and can't express our gratitude enough. We are now able to provide financial assistance for two headstones, and to help two families whose children visit Alder Hey Children’s Hospital on a regular basis. This donation will also go towards organising fundraising events this year, and the proceeds from these events will mean that we can help even more families across the Island.”
For more information about both charities, go to www.hyperbaric.im and www.smellslikeporridge.wixsite.com/alittlepieceofhope
The cheque presentations took place at the Hyperbaric Chamber on February 15th.
Photo - Receiving the cheques from Old Mutual International are Helen Sheppard (far left), Founder of the A Little Piece of Hope charity, and Debbie Barron (far right), Secretary of the Friends of the Hyperbaric Chamber charity. In the centre of the photo (left to right) are Old Mutual International staff Yuk-Lin Choi (Regional Escalation Consultant), Kristan Joughin and James Christian (both New Business Administrators), and Kelly Webb (Administrator).
