Caped crusaders swooped into a finance company’s headquarters to celebrate the achievements of some of the island’s real life superheroes.

Employees at fund management firm Old Mutual were encouraged to turn up for work as their favourite superhero character to mark Young Carers Awareness Day and raise funds for Crossroads, the charity that supports young carers across the island.

Employees also baked cakes to raise funds too.

Last year, Old Mutual International, which is based on King Edward Road, Onchan, launched a three-year project to raise £10,000 each year for Crossroads.

The annual totals will be match funded by the Quilter Foundation, a UK charity that helps poorer people.

By the end of 2021, Crossroads should have received a total of £60,000.

Crossroads’ chief executive officer, Jackie Betteridge, said: ’Young carers are real life superheroes who make a massive difference to their families and the local community every day of the year, but they are a silent army whose contribution often goes unnoticed.

’That’s why today is so important because it’s an opportunity to celebrate the 1,000+ young people here on the island who provide care to a parent, sibling, or someone in their family who has an illness, disability or mental health issue - and to allow the local community to support them by raising funds for the services provided by Crossroads.

’It’s great to see the Old Mutual International team’s enthusiasm and support, not just today but during the whole of last year, and the commitments they have made for 2020 and 2021.’

Crossroads supported the awareness day by encouraging businesses, schools and any other organisations or individuals in the island to hold fundraising events, and to spread the word about the challenges faced by young carers.

In 2019, Old Mutual International staff raised £10,000 from cake bakes, dress down days, and many other events.

The idea for the initiative began in 2018 when employees across the Quilter plc group (Old Mutual International is Quilter plc’s international arm) were asked for their views about how The Quilter Foundation should target its resources. Most chose young carers.

Peter Kenny, the chief exective officer of Old Mutual International, said: ’The 2019 fundraising total was achieved by a tremendous team effort and everyone who contributed - either by organising, supporting and taking part in events, or those who donated funds via sponsorship - deserves huge congratulations.

’Today’s event is a great way to start our 2020 fundraising campaign, and every pound raised will make a real difference to the lives of young carers across the island.’

Crossroads used funds raised by Old Mutual International in 2019 to employ a Young Carers Support Worker.

The charity’s Young Carers Project provides support to children and young people aged from five to 18 via a team of project workers.

Funds were also used to organise a Young Carers’ festival last summer.

It was the first festival that Crossroads had been able to organise for several years - but thanks to support from Old Mutual International the event was the biggest and best ever and provided lots of fun and a deserved boost for young carers.

Funds raised this year will go towards the Young Carers festival in July, and will also help Crossroads to offer support to even more young carers on the island.