A team of 12 volunteers from Old Mutual International spent a day working at Ashley Hill Primary School.

Members of the company’s Middle East and Africa regional servicing team really went out of their way to roll their sleeves up.

They tidied up outdoor spaces, cleared fallen leaves, did some gardening, painted artwork on walls inside the school, and spent time in the library tidying bookshelves and making a decorative display.

Peter Kenny, chief executive, Old Mutual International said: ’We have a wide range of initiatives to support the local community, and volunteer work is something that we always enjoy because it’s so rewarding to play an active part in helping schools, charities or other organisations which contribute so much to making the Isle of Man such a great place to live and work.

’Ashley Hill is the school that’s nearest to our headquarters at King Edward Bay House in Onchan, and the team were happy to help.

’There is still some work to complete outdoors and I know that the team will be returning to complete the work on a sunny day.’

Peter Lewis, headteacher at Ashley Hill Primary School, said: ’On behalf of all the staff and children at Ashley Hill, I would like to express my sincere thanks for all the hard work and effort Old Mutual International staff put into their day in our library.

’The library and outside area look particularly attractive and the workforce really helped us put the finishing touches to what will be an exciting learning space for our children and community.’

Old Mutual International is the Isle of Man’s largest life assurance company and employs more than 700 people worldwide, with just over 500 here in the island.

It is a supporter of financial education in schools here in the island. Over the past two years Old Mutual International’s ’Money Skills for Schools Week’ - supported by MyBnk - has delivered sessions at all of the island’s secondary schools, and University College of Isle of Man, to help pupils to better understand and develop skills to manage their personal finances.

Experts from MyBnk delivered the sessions, with assistance from school and college staff, and Old Mutual International volunteers.