KPMG are delighted to announce that the popular Kidtopia event, held on Sunday 8 March, raised over £3,000 for Isle Listen, a local project supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people on the Isle of Man.

The event returned for its second year to Henry Bloom Noble School and featured a variety of fun activities and entertainment for young children, including the Cookie’n’Candy Magic Show, the Manx Troopers and Move It dancers, face decorations from Shimmer and Shine and Happy Faces Entertainment, plus a huge range of inflatables from Party Time. Children could also put their creative skills to good use at the craft table. All of this was offered for a single ticket price of £5, with children under 2 going free.

Over 150 people came through the doors and, along with raffle ticket sales and other donations, a grand total of £3,262.07 was raised from the event.

KPMG Director, Kristan King, and head of the firm’s CSR committee commented, “We were extremely pleased to run this event for the second year, not only as we have raised important funds for Isle Listen but also because it is nice to see so many young children enjoying the activities and entertainment, in some cases for three or four hours. My thanks go to the KPMG staff who helped organise the event and to everyone else who supported it.”

Isle Listen aims to highlight to children and young people that taking care of your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health. It’s currently in its pilot year and focuses on prevention and early intervention work. The team deliver assemblies and workshops addressing a range of issues that can affect emotional wellbeing and provide listening services for young people in 2 local secondary schools. Subject to funding, Isle Listen will be rolled out across the island.

Jessica Mackie, Funding and Events Co-ordinator for Isle Listen said, “We are so grateful for the support of both KPMG and the wider community. Isle Listen simply could not deliver its services without it. A huge thank you must go to everybody who gave their time and talent to make Kidtopia happen, in particular the fantastic KPMG charity committee who ensured the event was such a great success.”

KPMG in the Isle of Man selected Isle Listen as its chosen charity for 2020 and Kidtopia is just one of many fundraising events which are planned for the year ahead.