Twelve local charities have received awards through the latest round of the Manx Telecom’s It’s Our Community scheme.

The event, which was attended by Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney, marked the 12th year of the scheme, through which almost £70,000 has now been donated to help community projects.

Recipients of major awards this year, each worth £1,000, included Cruse Bereavement Care for training a support worker for bereaved families, Isle Listen for the production of leaflets and worksheets on emotional well-being for young people and the Isle of Play Forest School for resources for its hugely popular Forest School programme. Leonard Cheshire’s Can Do initiative that helps people with disabilities or long term health issues give back to the community through volunteering was also awarded £1,000.

Café Lingo, the English language club for new arrivals on the Isle of Man, received £500 for a screen and projector, St Andrew’s Church Development Group also received £500 towards a cinema facility for the Andreas community and Isle of Man Code Club was granted £500 for 3D printer kits.

Other recipients of awards from £500 to £600 each included amateur theatre company Cloideryn Productions towards costumes and props for its production of A Christmas Carol, and the Manx Deaf Society in support of its community Deaf Club programme. Ramsey Cricket Club, 1st Douglas Scout Group and 1st Malew Scout Group each received awards for various equipment and improvements to their facilities.

Presenting the awards were Manx Telecom chief executive officer Gary Lamb and Dr Alex Allinson MHK, who had helped judge the applications for this year’s funding, a task which Gary said did not become any easier each year.

’There are so many fantastic projects going on around the Isle of Man and it is an honour to be able to support the very good work all our grant recipients are doing,’ said Mr Lamb.

’As a telecoms provider, we have been proud to support the Manx community for over 130 years, and with over 300 staff employed on the Isle of Man, we feel it is important for us to support our local community in as many different ways as we can.

’I’d like to thank all the charities and good causes for their applications and I would especially like to acknowledge all the work of the many volunteers who give tirelessly of their time to keep these organisations running.

’Thanks also to Dr Allinson for assistance with the judging and to His Excellency Sir Richard for coming along to find out more about It’s Our Community and this year’s selection of good causes.’