MAC Financial has pledged its support to Challenge 90, the bid by Save the Children (Isle of Man) to raise ?90,000 in 2009, its 90th Anniversary year.

MAC Financial will share part of the revenue generated by two of its products – one protection, the other investment – with Save the Children (IOM); these two products are to be re-branded ‘MAC90’ for the duration of the campaign. 

Jon McGowan, managing director of MAC Financial, has pledged one third of the commission or fee generated from the MAC90 investment product to the Save the Children (IOM) Challenge 90 campaign.

Similarly, 25 per cent or a minimum of ?90 of the commission or fee from its MAC90 protection product will go to the charity.

Mr McGowan said, "Much of MAC Financial’s community involvement is youth-focused, such as our commitment to the Isle of Man Children’s Centre and our support for a number of Island sports. 

"Although we are a profit-making commercial operation, we see a synergy between what we do – in particular providing 'intergenerational' family protection products – and the work of Save the Children, whose mission is to bring change to the lives of children around the world.  

"We’re therefore very pleased to be working with Save the Children (IOM) in order to help them achieve their Challenge 90 goal."

"The two products we chose to bear the MAC90 brand name have a proven track record and wide-ranging appeal, factors which we believe have influenced the strapline promoting the alliance with Save the Children: “Good for Me. Good for You”.

"2009 not only marks the 90th anniversary of Save the Children but also the fifth anniversary of MAC Financial. 

"Over the past five years our business has grown and developed in new directions. 

"That momentum is set to continue and we are pleased to be sharing our success with Save the Children (IOM) in such a pivotal year in the charity’s history."

Vice-president of Save the Children (IOM) Hugh Davidson said, "All funds raised in our 90th anniversary year will help change the lives of people in Rubeya, a small Rwandan village.  

"Rubeya is one of the poorest places on earth and has a high infant mortality rate. Against this background, I am inordinately grateful to MAC Financial - as I am to all those other parties – private and corporate – in the Island for their support, together with the Isle of Man Overseas Aid Committee which has pledged matched funding. 

"Jon McGowan heads a business possessed of a strong sense of social responsibility and I am confident that the MAC90 products, combined with his colleagues’ enthusiasm and commitment, will help bring our target of ?90,000 substantially closer by the end of this year."

Pictured: Five-year-old Fho has benefited from Save the Children’s health work in the district of Rubeya. His family could not afford health care previously and when he was unwell he was fed herbs as treatment. Thanks to Save the Children’s interventions he now has access to health and nutrition services and is a far healthier and energetic child. Photograph: Amadou Mbodj from Save the Children.