2016 has kicked off to a great start for Manx Children In Need (‘MCIN’) following a donation of ?1,295 from Douglas-based fiduciary and fund services specialist, Abacus.

MCIN, an appeal run by the Lions Club since 1985, assists local children and families on the Isle of Man. From the provision of stair gates to families with small children, to supplying special equipment for handicapped youngsters, to assisting parents whose children are having treatment at Alderhey Hospital; appeals for assistance come in many shapes and forms and often through various health visitors and other sources.

More recently they have been involved in the Lions North West Football competition, a sporting initiative which has been running for many years. Although the Isle of Man has only been involved for the last two years, last year’s Island team came runners up in the overall competition.

Starting locally, the competition begins with all of the 22 Isle of Man Youth (Under-14) football teams taking part in an Island based knockout competition. The winning team and their coaches then travel to the UK to compete against winning teams from 12 other areas across the North West of England who have also competed in similar knockout competitions in their local area.

The trip from the Isle of Man to the UK is funded by the Manx Children in Need appeal and covers the winning team’s overnight accommodation, all meals, a night at the cinema and the return trip by Ferry.

Isle of Man Lions Club President, Eric Callister, said: “Thanks to the donation from Abacus we will have no problem covering the cost of partaking in this year’s Lions North West Football Competition. A donation like this will go a long way for the Manx Children in Need appeal and will, as always, be put to good use.

“Over the years, the Isle of Man Lions Club have been very fortunate that companies throughout the Island have been happy to get involved and helped us with our fundraising efforts, for which we cannot express enough gratitude.

“I would however like to say how truly thankful we are to Abacus for their continued support and all that they have done for the Lions and its Manx Children in Need appeal; after 5 consecutive years we have not only been lucky enough to receive a number of generous donations, we have also had the pleasure of getting to know some of their staff.

Corporate Responsibility Committee Member and Abacus employee, Lorraine Boyd, said: “Whilst many companies support the annual national Children in Need appeal, Abacus has instead, directed any monies raised during their Children in Need fundraising initiatives to the local Manx Children In Need Appeal, where all money remains and benefits children on the Island.

“To mark our 5th consecutive year of support, we wanted to do something a little bigger and so in addition to our usual cake bake sales and raffle initiatives, we selected Manx Children in Need as our quarter charity. During the quarter staff donate from their salary each month with the total at the end of the quarter being matched by the company and added to any ad-hoc amounts raised during that period.

“I speak for everyone at Abacus when I say that the work of the Isle of Man Lions is invaluable yet unfortunately a lot of the time it goes unrecognised. On behalf of Abacus we would like to thank them for the work they do for the local community and wish them all the best for the future.”

This year’s local knock-out competition has been delayed by the weather but is due to start in March. The winning team will then leave the Island for Liverpool on 30 April to take part in the final competition which is to be held over the May bank holiday weekend.

Photo - Staff from Abacus present the cheque to Isle of Man Lions Club President, Eric Callister. [L-R] Alison Cowin, Helen Corlett, Lesley Johnston, Eric Callister, Lorraine Boyd.