So we find ourselves yet again reflecting on another year over and thinking about the new one about to begin.
2023 has not been without its share of tragedies and challenges, conflicts throughout the world continue, energy prices remain high and continued rises to interest rates have all contributed, albeit in different ways, to some really difficult times for a lot of people.
Sometimes it is difficult to see the positives for the future. Social media, as well as mainstream media outlets, continue to bombard us with negativity and a view that creates a very pessimistic outlook. Whilst there is no getting away from the terrible events we see all over the world, I want to focus on some positivity and the impact that even the smallest positive contribution can have on people, particularly from a local perspective.
Here at Boston, our Corporate and Social Responsibility Committee have harnessed the power of small acts of kindness hoping to create a ripple effect. They have focused on making lots of smaller donations to small charities and local causes, hoping to contribute to a more positive and compassionate local environment.
The following is a summary of some of the wonderful things our CSR team have done over the last year, all of which are driven by or chosen by the staff to support:
| We started the year supporting a former member of staff, with a donation of a raffle prize for a Games Night held in honour of his late wife raising funds for the Home from Home charity |
| We extended our support to Isle Listen, an organization focused on mental health and well-being in recognition of Mental Health Day. |
| We made a raffle prize donation to Pony Club, to help support youth development and providing opportunities for young equestrians. |
| We made a donation to a local clients cycling challenge, raising funds for the Toy Appeal, reinforcing our commitment to helping individuals in our community. |
| We supported one of our team in a golf challenge raising funds to help the fight against prostate cancer. |
| We contributed to Age Concern, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of senior citizens. |
| We went pink for the day, raising funds with events in the office and made a donation to Breast Cancer Care. We also support the Breast Cancer Support group every month by donating the income from our office tuck shop. |
| We made a donation to help with dance outfits for local dance group Perree Bane, supporting local arts and culture. |
| We supported IOM Blue Tits, a local swimming group, who created a beautiful mural at a local swimming spot, covering an area of graffiti. Boston paid for the paint for the project and also the refreshments for the unveiling of the artwork. |
| We made a donation to a fundraiser for a local lady who was injured in a charity run, to assist with her families travel costs and modifications to her home. |
| We made a donation to one of our local peers Relay for Life fundraiser. |
| We contributed a voucher to support the Move It raffle, which was used to raise funds to take local youngsters to a dance competition at EuroDisney. |
| We donated a voucher to the Mannin Cancer Raffle, aiding cancer research and support for male cancers. |
| We made a donation to the T.E.A Project Sports Center in memory of a long-standing client. This is a children’s rights led organisation in Sri Lanka that believes that all children have the right to provision, prevention, participation and protection. |
| We donated a raffle prize to the British Horse Society annual raffle, funds raised will help towards purchasing gates for bridle paths that the DOI and DEFA are either creating or improving for our Island riders, so that they may spend less time riding on main roads. |
| We made a donation to pay towards our local parkruns café, which provide hot drinks and snacks to runners and walkers after the event. This is effectively a double donation as all funds raised from café sales go directly to the Hailwood Centre. |
| We have also donated time by volunteering for the day to sell poppies for the British Legion Poppy Appeal and held fund raisers for Samaritans Isle of Man and Diabetes Isle of Man. |
For Christmas 2023, we have made small donations to the Hedgehog Lady of Peel, Greenhills Sanctuary and Manx Wild Bird Aid to help their amazing work at Christmas. We have also paid the gas and electric bill for the Women’s Refuge over the festive period. We completed a staff collection to the Foodbank of food and nearly £400 in cash and we will also making a monetary donation from Boston shortly. We have donated to Marown Playing Fields to assist with the purchase of new play equipment, and to Sight Matters to take their younger members bowling and for lunch.
Hearing the feedback on the difference that these contributions make is truly humbling and I am very proud of our staff who continue to support such amazing local initiatives and also volunteer their time to various initiatives outside of the office.
The power to make a difference is there for us all, and it starts with the small choices we make every day. By cultivating kindness, supporting local initiatives and volunteering time where we can we contribute to a collective force for positive change. It’s the combination of countless small actions that shapes a better, brighter future us all.
All that is left is for me to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.