Group boss Paul Feeney has praised a campaign helping the Crossroads Care charity to support more young carers in the island.

London-based Mr Feeney was speaking during a visit to to the island.

Despite a busy business schedule he was keen to find out about the support of the charity being provided by employees at Old Mutual International.

The firm is one of the largest financial services employers in the island with more than 450 staff and is the international arm of Quilter plc.

Mr Feeney, chief executive of Quilter plc,and a trustee of the Quilter Foundation said: ’As we pursue our purpose to create prosperity for the generations of today and tomorrow, we have a responsibility to tackle the barriers to prosperity in our society, particularly for young people.

’It was an honour to be able to hear first-hand about the difference the partnership with Crossroads Care is making.

’I am extremely proud that we are able to contribute towards the invaluable work that is taking place on the Isle of Man to support young carers.’

In January this year Onchan-based Old Mutual International launched a three year campaign to make a significant impact on the lives of young carers via a partnership with Crossroads Care.

Old Mutual International is on course to achieve its ultimate goal of donating just over £60,000 to the charity by 2021, the sum being a combination of funds raised by staff and matched funding provided by the company.

Peter Kenny, chief executive, Old Mutual International, said: ’The inspiration for this initiative goes back to 2018 when employees across the Quilter plc group were asked for their views about how The Quilter Foundation, a registered UK charity which aims to help young people overcome barriers to prosperity, should target its resources.

’An overwhelming majority chose young carers, so Quilter plc then announced a £1.5million initiative to support young carers in the UK via The Quilter Foundation and here in the Isle of Man we decided to support the excellent work of Crossroads Care.

’We were delighted to welcome our group chief executive to the island, and to bring him up to date about the enthusiastic support for this initiative by our colleagues which is already making a tangible difference to young carers who contribute so much to their families and the local community.’

Old Mutual International has already donated £15,000 to Crossroads Care, and that sum is funding a young carers support worker.

The Young Carers Project provides support to children and young people aged from 5 to 18 thanks to a team of dedicated project workers, and the new support worker will allow the project to help even more young carers.

Funds will also be used to organise a Young Carers’ Festival to be held in July and other plans are in place to allow Crossroads Care to expand the scope of the Young Carers Project in 2020 and 2021.

Established more than 30 years ago Old Mutual International offers wealth management ’solutions’ to expatriates and local investors across the world including Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America and into the UK. Old Mutual International operates from the Isle of Man and Dublin and has regional offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.