PDMS celebrates the young inspirational heroes of the Island

On Friday 10th November, Hannah, Barb and I had the pleasure of representing PDMS at the annual Heroes of Mann Awards. Organised by the charity, A Little Piece of Hope, the awards celebrate inspirational individuals and groups across our island who deserve recognition for their achievements and bravery.  

The event also raises much-needed funds for the charity which does an amazing job of helping people in their time of need. They help bereaved families and sick children with the costs of hospital travel, funerals and headstones. The charitable foundation also provides medical equipment and access to mental health support.  

Skies the Limit Award

PDMS sponsored the “Skies the Limit” category which celebrates the achievements of young fundraisers. This year, the award was won by a very deserving young lady called Saskia Edge who raised an amazing amount of £1440 for Manx Breast Cancer Support Group. Saskia, aged nine, wanted to support the charity in recognition of the support that the group had provided to her mum who was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year.  We are happy to report that it was caught early, and Saskia’s mum is doing well. She is immensely proud of Saskia’s fundraising efforts and her Heroes of Mann award. 

Saskia raised donations by completing the Mini Parish Walk where children walk 2.5km (or 1.5 miles) to raise money for a chosen charity, and she is already thinking about her next fundraising endeavour. You can watch Saskia’s award nomination video here.  

Heroes of Mann Awards

The Heroes of Mann Awards evening was both emotional and uplifting. We shared our table with one extraordinary little boy called Aedan Klieve and his amazing parents. Aedan was born in 2020 with PUV which meant that his organs were not developing as they should and his kidneys started shutting down at birth. This meant that Aedan had to fly from the Isle of Man to Liverpool three times a week for haemodialysis at Alder Hey, whilst waiting for a transplant.

In August 2023, Aedan had a kidney transplant, but the transplant is a treatment and not a cure. Brave Aeden continues to have to make very regular trips over to Alder Hey. We were all blown away by his bravery and courage, as well as his fantastic smiles and dancing at the end of the evening. You can find out more about Aedan’s story.

Aedan is just one of many of the children and families on the Isle of Man who benefit from the support of A Little Piece of Hope. This Christmas, they will also be supporting low-income families and children with gifts. 

If you would like to support A Little Piece of Hope, you can find out more here.