A LOCAL company has pledged its support to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) by making it the charity of the year for 2011.
KPMG has chosen the local branch of the MNDA charity, which is affiliated to the larger UK network of the same name but run independently, and fundraising efforts have already seen £500 collected from a recent Santa Dash.
The Motor Neurone Disease Association provides practical help and support to people living with the disease. Life expectancy after the onset of symptoms is between two and five years. The cause of the disease is unknown and there is currently no cure.
KMPG is aiming to organise a fundraising event each month including dress down days, cake sales, sponsored walks and celebrity events.
Money collected will go towards equipment for MNDA patients including recliner chairs, stair lifts and overnight nursing care so that carers can have a break. It will also occasionally support research projects that might aid the understanding of the disease via the UK MNDA.
Sinead O'Connor, senior manager of advisory at KPMG, said: "One of KPMG’s core values is 'we are committed to our communities'". While we always try to respond appropriately when major disasters happen, such as the Haitian disaster, it is particularly important to us that we can bring to light and support some of the less obvious causes that are just as worthy of support.
"The people at the MNDA really are unsung heroes and we are proud to be helping them provide their valuable services."
Two members from the Motor Neurone Disease Association attended the KPMG's recent AGM to talk about the charity.
Sue Robinson, the chair of the Isle of Man branch of the MNDA, said: "It's fantastic to have KPMG's support. We are a small but hard working team and the sort of funds that supporters like KPMG bring can make a real difference to what we can achieve, particularly in terms of providing equipment for sufferers.
"We would like to thank them all for their time, their enthusiasm and their selfless attitudes."
Last year KPMG raised nearly £10,000 for the Haiti crisis, supported various initiatives by The Children's Centre, helped at the Parish Walk, and raised money for the Pakistan Flood Appeal.
Photo caption: L to R: Sue Robinson (MNDA), Sinead O'Connor (KPMG), Kate Camfield (MNDA), Micky Swindale (KPMG), Mary Linehan (MNDA), Sandra Skuska (KPMG), Christine Pain (MNDA) and Clare Mahood (KPMG) at the Motor Neurone Disease Association lunch to launch KPMG's support.
