SMP Partners Group Chairman Steve McGowan has been honoured for his work in the Isle of Man community.

Steve received the Dedication to the Community award at the 2015 Heroes in the Community presentation, held at the Empress Hotel in Douglas.

The award was for a business person who has gone above and beyond to help their local community, improving the lives of others or showing true kindness. Steve was nominated by Clive Hesketh of Finley’s Tracks in recognition of his support for that charity, as well as his work with Hospice Isle of Man.

Finley’s Tracks, which was selected by staff as SMP Partners’ Charity of the Year in 2015, was established by Clive and his wife Kirstie after their son Finley was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a life-limiting progressive neuromuscular disorder which results in muscle degeneration. The charity aims to raise awareness of DMD, assist others with the condition in the Isle of Man and fundraise for a special wheelchair for Finley.

In addition to supporting Finley’s Tracks, Steve organised a garden party in June this year to celebrate 10 years of Rebecca House, the children’s wing of Hospice Isle of Man. The event, which was attended by 500 guests and included entertainment from tenor star Alfie Boe, raised more than ?130,000.

Steve said: ‘It was incredibly humbling to be nominated by Clive, and overwhelming to be selected as the winner. During the Heroes in the Community presentation, there were many moving and inspirational stories about the people who are making a real difference in the Island, and it was a great honour to be part of it.

‘This award really is recognition of the entire SMP Partners group’s dedication to playing an active and leading role in the Isle of Man community. As a business we are committed to supporting sport, the arts, education and charities which enrich and enhance our Island home, and we have a generous team here who are always first in line when it comes to making donations, giving up their time or getting involved in community initiatives.’

SMP Partners has a strong track record of community involvement, such as sponsoring numerous theatrical productions, most recently the sell-out run of The Phantom of the Opera at the Gaiety Theatre, and supporting business events including Junior Chamber of Commerce presentations and conferences on subjects including e-Gaming and biomedicine.

In September, the group was announced as sponsor of the new Sport Aid Academy, alongside Newfield Ltd. The Academy, developed by Isle of Man Sport, is working with athletes aged between 13 and 17 from 11 different sports to give them support and knowledge needed to work towards becoming high performance athletes in the future. The Academy continues the work of the Sporting Excellence Programme, delivered by Dame Kelly Holmes, which SMP also sponsored.

Each year, SMP Partners staff select a Charity of the Year and contribute to a series of events to help raise money and awareness. In 2014, Manx Cancer Help received more than ?14,000 from the company and staff, and donations to this year’s charity, Finley’s Tracks, have already topped ?7,000. In addition, staff have been involved in many fundraising activities, from competing in the Parish Walk to running a sponsored mountain bike ride in aid of cancer charities.

Steve said: ‘At SMP Partners, we see getting involved in our community not only as a responsibility, but also as a pleasure. We are fortunate to live and work in place with so much community spirit; contributing to that is its own reward, and the Dedication to the Community award is the icing on the cake.’

Heroes in the Community is an annual awards ceremony organised by Manx Radio’s Dream Catcher appeal giving people the opportunity to nominate their ‘local hero’ in recognition of their contribution to life in the Isle of Man.

Photo - SMP Partners Group Chairman Steve McGowan with his Heroes in the Community Dedication to the Community award (Andrew Barton Photography).