An Onchan couple decided to use their golden wedding party to raise money for charity.

Margaret and Colin Brown of Buttermere Drive asked the 85 guests not to bring presents but, instead, invited them to make a donation to the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association.

A presentation will be made soon to association officials with Mr and Mrs Brown requesting that the final figure of £1,000 - including their own donation - be earmarked for research into the disease.

Margaret is a former administrator of the association’s Staywell Clinic at Noble’s Hospital and is currently a volunteer receptionist.

She said: ’I have seen at first hand the vital work carried out by Isle of Man Anti-Cancer in general and the Staywell Clinic in particular.

’We have also had relatives and friends who have been affected by cancer so felt we would like donations to go to vital research and our guests were very generous with their gifts of money.’

A large part of Mrs Brown’s working life was spent in the charity sector where she was administrator, and latterly co-ordinator of volunteers, at the Manx Blind Welfare Society in Corrin Court in Onchan.

The society looks after the welfare of around 600 visually impaired members.

Colin is a retired journalist and former local newspaper editor and head of news at Manx Radio.

He was also connected with the Independent Review Body, which examines complaints against health service providers, for 18 years - firstly as clerk and then convenor.

The couple are also well known in Manx sporting circles.

Margaret was a long-time member of the Isle of Man Sports Council and chaired the committee which built the Institute of Sport at the National Sports Centre. She won various island junior titles at badminton; was a member of the senior island squad, and for a number of years was also secretary of the Badminton Association.

Colin represented the Isle of Man at tennis, table tennis and cricket and was also a football referee, winning island titles at the first two sports.

They have both given many years to committee work in various sports and charities.

The golden wedding celebrations were held at Ocean Views Restaurant in Onchan Park.

The centrepiece was a three-tier cake made by a friend of Colin, retired Ramsey Grammar School teacher Peter Mylrea.

The pair used to play in the same football team for Ramsey.

Peter agreed that any money which would normally have gone to him to cover his time and the cost of ingredients should be given to Anti-Cancer.

Margaret and Colin made a donation in accordance with his wishes.

Margaret had laid out photographs and newspaper cuttings detailing the couple’s lives, together with pictures of their children, grandchildren, relatives and friends.

There was also a fun quiz compiled by Colin based on 50 years of the couple’s married life.

They thanked god-daughter Jenni who took photographs; great nephew Tim for assisting with technology and daughter Carolyn, Darren and grandsons Leon and Kylan who helped in many ways on the night.

Wedding photographs were played on a TV screen through the evening and also messages from those off island who couldn’t attend for various reasons, largely Coronavirus restrictions.

The messages included ones from daughter Alison, son-in-law Carl and grandchildren Ryan and Caitlin in Australia and Colin’s brother Horace in Liverpool who was best man at their wedding.

Both bridesmaids from 1970 were present at Ocean Views - Colin’s niece Jacqueline Payne and Margaret’s cousin Jill Dunlop.

Entertainment was provided by local group Shoh Slaynt.