Local ultra competitor Orran Smith is raising funds for Cruse
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Local man and ultra competitor Orran Smith has signed up to run 330km in Italy next month, but it's all in a good cause – raising funds for Cruse.
Described as probably the island’s grittiest athlete, Orran has undertaken numerous challenges over the last few years. Earlier this year he undertook The Spine challenge raising funds for the MS Society. This 268-mile (431km) challenge is called the Winter Ultramarathon.
Next month will see Orran competing in the Tour des Geants race which involves running the distance, equivalent to over 200 miles in the mountainous areas of Donnas in northern Italy near the French and Swiss borders.
While the scenery will be spectacular it will be a tough event. It's the only race to combine long distance with the individual style of runners. There are no compulsory stages with the winner achieving the fastest race in the shortest time. Orran will decide how long to rest for and when to take on board water and food. There are no actual support cars or people but food and ‘life’ stations along the route where the runners can rest or eat/drink.
The Tor des Géants® is the first race of this kind to cover an entire region, running along its spectacular paths at the foot of the highest Four-Thousanders in the Alps and through the Gran Paradiso Natural Park and the Mont Avic Regional Park. All of these particular features help make this such a unique, inimitable race.
Our Chief Executive, Mary Doyle, said: “As a charity we are grateful to anyone that supports our charity. This is a gritty, tough event and we would like to thank Orran for all his endeavours for us. I have chatted with Orran and am very touched by his empathy to be a difference to our small community. With his previous challenge he raised £11,000 for the MS Society – it would be terrific if this amount was raised for our charity. The biggest issue with this event will be heat exhaustion so we wish him luck with this amazing challenge and look forward to hearing all about it when he has completed it.”
Orran added: “I like a challenge, and this will certainly be one but raising funds for a local charity, such as Cruse Bereavement Support, will help me plough on through an arduous, tough course. I am much more compassionate and have changed my perspective over the last few years so to use my running to help raise funds for a very worthwhile cause means a lot to me.”
To donate, please visit Orran’s JustGiving page.
Cruse IOM welcomes new board director Gary Roberts
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We’re delighted to announce that Gary Roberts has joined our board.
Gary is well-known on the Island having served with Isle of Man Constabulary for nearly 39 years including a decade as Chief Constable. Gary retired earlier this year.
Within the police force Gary was known for his high standards of putting people’s values at the foremost of recruitment and creating a culture where people cared about what they did as a job. He is also a Queen’s Police Medal recipient for outstanding service.
Our Chief Executive, Mary Doyle, says: “We are delighted Gary has joined our board. He has considerable experience of working within a values-based organisation and will bring a wealth of knowledge, passion and skills to our charity.
As a chartered fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development his people skills will help us to continue to develop all staff and volunteers.
We are excited to be working with him knowing he will support and guide the charity into the future dealing with any challenging projects we meet.”
Gary commented: “I have always admired the work Cruse do and was delighted to be asked to get involved with them.
I know the difference they can make and look forward to working with them. I realise the impact a death can have on individuals and families, particularly a suicide so to be working as part of this charity is important to me.”
As a director, Gary will be the safeguarding lead.
Our Chair, Judy Arnold BEM, commented: “We are delighted someone of Gary’s calibre and experience has joined our board. His knowledge in dealing with wide-ranging situations will enhance our Board. I very much look forward to working with him.”
We’re marking 35 years this year and have exciting plans moving forward including organising a black-tie dinner on 15 September and a swim 10k to raise £10k. We were established in 1988 and have changed and developed since then but the core of our service is providing support for children, young people and adults when someone they care for dies. The estimated cost of providing this care and support is approximately £600 per client so all donations that help ensure our sustainability are valued and appreciated. All our services are delivered without cost to the client. Last year we provided support for over 320 people.
Pictured are: Our Chief Executive, Mary Doyle, welcoming Gary Roberts to the Board.
The Mike Henthorn Cruse Memorial Golf Day raises nearly £9,000
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Our annual golf day in May raised just under £9,000 for Cruse this year. This was the 13th year the Mike Henthorn Cruse Memorial Golf day event has been and it’s raised an amazing £110,000 since it started was once again sponsored by Celton Manx.
Mike was a well-known and respected businessman and former vice-chair of Cruse.
In first place this year was Conister Bank - this is the third year in a row they have won - in second place was Ramsey Crookall with Capital International taking the third prize.
Our chief executive Mary Doyle says: “We are very grateful to Celton Manx for its ongoing support of Cruse and to everyone that played and enjoyed a great day of golf. Mike was a terrific supporter of our charity so it is a testimonial to him and his family that everyone continues to play golf in his memory. It was great to see 22 teams playing this year.”
Celton Manx’s chief executive officer, Bill Mummery, adds: “We know the terrific support that Cruse gives to their clients and are delighted to continue our support knowing that every penny made goes directly to provide their support.”
The winning team from Conister Bank accepting their prizes (L-R Janet Henthorn, Tom Charmer, Andrew Moody, Bill Mummery from Celton Manx, Shaun Kelly, Michael Moore)
Ramsey Crookall finished in second place (L-R Nick Kelly, Janet Henthorn, Paul McMullan, Bill Mummery, Liam Murphy, Richard WIld)
Capital International finished in third place (L-R Janet Henthorn, Chris Nash, Andy Tinnion, Bill Mummery, Max Kneale, James Kelly)
Vacancy - Young Person's Bereavement Support Specialist
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THIS VACANCY IS NOW CLOSED
We have a vacancy for a new Young Person's Bereavement Support Specialist.
For information about the role, or to apply, please visit the job description page.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 21 February 2023.
Meet our new Chief Executive—Mary Doyle
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We’re delighted to announce that Mary Doyle will be our new chief executive officer.
Mary has extensive experience in the charitable, private and public sectors and will take up the position next month. She’ll be taking over from Amanda Cafearo who has been in the role for the last 13 years.
Our Chair, Judy Arnold BEM, says: "We are delighted to welcome Mary to our charity. She has an in-depth knowledge of the charity world and I am sure will continue to develop Cruse to ensure the public receive the care and support they need at a critical time in their lives. I would like to thank Amanda for all her dedication and hard work with us and wish her the best of luck for the future."
Mary adds: "I have worked with the team at Cruse over the years and know the significant difference they make to our island population so I am excited to be part of this team and look forward to being part of their story."
Mary has been working as a communications manager at Manx Care for the past year. She has also had communications, fundraising and public relations roles across various sectors, with some of her employers being the Isle of Man Government, The Children’s Centre, Hospice Isle of Man and Isle of Man Newspapers.
Amanda is leaving as CEO at the end of February and Mary will be taking up her role in April.
Our chair Judy Arnold BEM (left) welcomes our new Chief Executive Mary Doyle.