GIVE

MUSIC, SOUL FOOD AND MARDI GRAS CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS

Sight Matters, the operational arm of the well-known local charity Manx Blind Welfare Society, recently hosted a spectacular Mardi Gras Celebration. The event was hosted by Manninsight, a newly created bespoke fundraising initiative supporting Sight Matters. Manninsight’s first fundraising project will complement the fabulous Freedom Field already developed at Sight Matters’ headquarters in Onchan. During the last two years of the Covid pandemic and with life in our gilded cage, we have all learned to embrace ‘staycationing’ on our wonderful Island. Manninsight’s task is to raise funds to help bring this concept to the Sight Matters Community. Karen Callin, Founder and Chairman of Manninsight, said: “We were thrilled to launch Manninsight with such an exciting event. Mardi Gras, traditionally ‘Fat Tuesday’, is a carnival celebration to enjoy soul food, jazzy music and to have fun.” The Black-Tie Masquerade Mardi Gras took place at Bonds Restaurant in Onchan. Whilst the temperature may not have been quite as at the Rio Carnival, music by Rachel Wild and Mark Burrows created a jovial atmosphere and entertained the guests. Following a welcome Hurriane Cocktail, Bonds chefs Andrew McKinnon and Ruben Pretorius treated them to a fabulous Creolesque six course tasting menu.

Manninsight’s next event ‘A Night at the Museum’ will be held on October 21.

ZURICH, ON THE ISLE OF MAN ANNOUNCED AS LARGE SCULPTURE SPONSOR FOR THE BIG SPLASH 2022

Hospice Isle of Man are delighted to announce that insurance group Zurich has partnered up with The Big Splash to support the Wild in Art trail in 2022 as a large sculpture sponsor.

The Big Splash is the largest mass participation art event to ever come to the Isle of Man and will see a trail of over 30 life size Dolphins take centre stage on a public art trail live around the Island for 12 weeks from May – September 2022.

Zurich has around 300 employees on the Island who are all committed to community investment, wellbeing and sustainability.

Bruce Pearson, CEO of Zurich International Life Limited said, “We are thrilled to be involved in the Big Splash 2022. The trail is set to be really exciting, and we were drawn to the key objectives of this campaign of promoting wellbeing and sustainability – both of which are high on our agenda as an organisation. Zurich on the Isle of Man has a longstanding relationship with Hospice Isle of Man through our charity and community initiatives and therefore we are so pleased to be able to support them further in the vital work they do.” Chief Executive of Hospice Isle of Man, Anne Mills said, “With the incredible team at Zurich behind us, we’re sure the dolphin trail will be a huge success. Zurich’s commitment to Manx charities is very admirable, and we are beyond grateful that they have chosen Hospice as one of the lucky ones for 2022. We are currently in the process of finalising where our large and our small dolphin sculptures are going to be located for the summer and we are certain we’ve spread them out to reach every corner of the island. It’s going to be the perfect family activity for everyone to get involved in!” Sculpture sponsors have now been matched with their dolphin designs and Zurich have chosen to form a partnership with local artist Leanne Mathews. Leanne is an artist specialising in decorative floral art, large abstract paintings and print making. She has created work for local businesses such as Conrods Pizzeria, The Cook Shack, Laxey Kitchen and Mongoose Merchandise.

More than 30 individually designed ‘life sized’ dolphin sculptures along with over 40 baby dolphins (Calves) will form a trail of discovery across the Island this year, encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore our environment from an exciting new perspective – whilst promoting our Biosphere, wellbeing and active lifestyles.