The Isle of Man Fund Association has donated ?1,685.00 to the Manx Youth Band, an Isle of Man registered charity headed by musical director and conductor Mr Ian Clague, MBE. The money was raised at the Association’s annual dinner this year as part of the proceeds from the evening’s raffle.

Commenting on the donation, Ian Clague MBE said: “The Manx Youth Band is entirely funded by member subscriptions and voluntary donations, and provides free instruments and free tuition to all its members – anyone is able to join the band and everyone is made welcome.

"The donation from the Isle of Man Funds Association is greatly appreciated and will assist us in our current fundraising projects, targeting the purchase of new instruments, repairing old instruments, and funding the upkeep of the band room in Douglas”.

The Manx Youth Band was founded in 1970 and has a developed a reputation for excellence, evidenced in its success in past Manx music festivals and various off-island concerts. The band have performed with some of the greatest names in the classical music and entertainment worlds including Roy Castle, Ted Heath, John Ogden as well as a number of military bands including the Bands of Scots Guards. The band has also performed for members of the Royal Family including Her Majesty the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

Paul Kneen, Chairman of Isle of Man Funds Association and Chief Executive Officer of Abacus Financial Services Group said: “We are very happy to be able to assist the Manx Youth Band in this way. We invited the band to play at the Association’s annual dinner and they provided an excellent musical interlude, with band member Georgia Maddocks taking a break from the cornet to sing two numbers accompanied by the band.

"It was a superb performance underscored by lots of positive feedback and compliments from our members and their guests. We hope that our donation will go some way to help them continue their work, particularly with the younger generation who are learning to play as part of a supportive and committed organisation.”

Photo: Paul Kneen, Chairman of Isle of Man Funds Association and CEO of Abacus Financial Services Group (Left) presents cheque to Musical Director and Conductor of the Manx Youth Band, Ian Clague MBE (Right) and some of the band’s members.