The Commissioners’ Chairman, Andrew Jessopp said he was delighted at the amount of money that had been raised by the Parish Day. A total of ?1421.75 had been donated either on the day in charity buckets and the raffle or via stall pitch fees. He thanked the Commissioners staff for their hard work in organising and overseeing a very well attended and enjoyable family day out and all of the stall holders and businesses that had made it possible. Mr Jessopp added that the Commissioners had selected three charities to support; The Manx Workshop for the Disabled, The Ardwhallan Jubilee Trust and the Manx Energy Advice Centre and was pleased to present them each with a cheque for ?473.92.
Mr Ault from The Manx Workshop for the Disabled said the money would be swiftly put to use as the workshop had recently experienced some issues with its machinery. The money would be used to purchase new parts to repair and restore the equipment. Mr Ault explained to the Commissioners that the workshop was funded by grants and fundraising as well any funds raised from the sale of their products. The workshop provides meaningful employment to disabled people and acts as a stepping stone to enable them to move on to gainful employment in the future.
Ken Callister from the Ardwhallan Jubilee Trust thanked the Commissioners for their ongoing support, not only the money received today but also the allowances they grant for the Rates, which helps young people from the whole island who use Ardwhallan Outdoor Centre. Mr Callister explained that the Trust pays for the equipment and running costs of the centre and the Department of Education fund the staffing costs. He introduced Joe Collister who had worked his way through their young instructors training programme and was now working at the Centre as an instructor. He went onto explain that the centre is used by schools for many different courses. It allows children who aren’t academic who are often classed as difficult, to test themselves, learn team building and build strong characters by getting cold and wet and cooking over a camp stove. The Centre also enables schools to expand the offering to those studying GCSEs in Physical Education; it no longer has to be just team and field sports as they offer sailing, kayaking and climbing facilities. Mr Callister said the centre needs this kind of support to continue providing the services to young people across the island.
George Fincher from the Manx Energy Advice Centre thanked the Commissioners for their support, he said the money would be used to help fund the work carried out by the Charity at the Green Centre, in Chester Street. They had recently sourced some LED light panels and the donation would enable them to purchase more of these to demonstrate from the centre. Mr Fincher explained that the centre provides advice to homeowners, businesses and government on how to save energy and cut costs.
The next Braddan Parish Day will be held on the first May Bank Holiday (4th) in 2015. The Commissioners would like to hear from individuals and/or businesses that could help plan and organise the day, or suggestions to make it bigger and even better than this year’s event.
Photo L to R George Mincher, Joe Collister, Ken Callister, Andrew Jessopp, Don Ault.
