Old Mutual International organised a Christmas lunch for the company’s charities of the year; ManxSPCA and Alzheimer’s Society Isle of Man.

Guests from both charities joined representatives of the company for a meal at Ard Jerkyll Tea Rooms at the ManxSPCA centre in Foxdale.

With 500 staff at its headquarters in Onchan, Old Mutual International is one of the island’s biggest private sector employers.

Every year employees nominate Isle of Man charities to support with the two most popular being chosen as the charities of the year.

Staff have been raising funds this year through a variety of initiatives ranging from cake bakes and dress down Fridays, to employees raising funds from sponsorship by taking part in events such as the Manx Telecom Parish Walk and the Ramsey Bakery Isle of Man End to End Walk.

Wendy Ranft-Gerber, communications business partner at Old Mutual International, said the initiative was part of the company’s commitment to supporting local charities, and helping communities prosper.

Funds are still coming in, but it is expected that the charities of the year initiative will raise more than £20,000 in total this year.

The total will be split equally between ManxSPCA and Alzheimer’s Society Isle of Man.

For more information about the charities, go to www.manxspca.com or search Facebook for Alzheimer’s Society Isle of Man.