Gef’s Daily Roundup

Vote Joe!

Voting is now open for the NTAs and we’re backing Joe Locke all the way. To vote is very simple, you click here, go to ‘Start Voting’, vote for Heartstopper and Joe Locke (maybe Clarkson and Caleb Cooper in their categories too), confirm a few details and that’s it.

The results will be announced on September 15.

School Uniform

The weeks before a new school term can be costly for parents, but the gov is offering some advice on saving money this summer. It goes like this:

School uniform policy doesn’t require parents to buy ‘school branded’ items.

Support is available through schools hardship funds or endowments.

School uniform ‘swap-shops’ may be available for your child’s school.

Parents can contact the headteacher of their child’s school or DESC via Admin.DESC@gov.im or 685808 to explore support options available.

Zurich Turns 40

A random acts of kindness campaign celebrating 40 years of insurance company Zurich on the Isle of Man is now in its final week.

During August, Zurich employees are been organising surprises across the island. So far they have made donations of equipment to charities and community groups, given free tickets to families visiting popular attractions such as Curraghs Wildlife Park and Royal Manx Agricultural Show, and cupcakes to treat key workers at the start of their shifts.

Firefighters were the latest 999 crews to receive #40gives40 cupcakes this week – the cakes were baked specially for Zurich by Elaine Taylor from Taylor Made Cakes. The Zurich team will out and about until the end of the month in their snazzy #40gives40 t-shirts, so look out for them and you may be in line for a nice little surprise!

Bruce Pearson, CEO, Zurich International Life Ltd, said: ‘2022 is special for Zurich from a local and global perspective. It is 40^ years since Zurich International Life Limited was established here on the Island, and 150^ years since our parent company, Zurich Insurance Group, was founded. Investing in the communities where we live and work has always been at the heart of Zurich’s mission and vision – but this year we wanted to make an extra effort to celebrate our Isle of Man anniversary.

‘Every #40gives40 random act of kindness during August is a token of our gratitude to the community spirit which makes this island so special. We’re also marking the occasion with our 300 staff here. We will be reflecting on how the business has grown since 1982, and acknowledging how generations of past employees have contributed to our success.’