We take pride in the relationships we’ve built with all of our charitable organisations and sports teams and look forward to the continued joint success of these ventures.
Sponsorship
England Rugby
After years of championing sports at the grassroots and national level, the start of 2022 saw us enter the international sports arena as official pitch-side sponsors of England Rugby’s Six Nations campaign. Whilst maintaining a strong presence within our community, this milestone tells the wider story of our growth as a force on the international stage.
Bristol Bears
Having initially sponsored several match ball games for the Bristol Bears, we came onboard as official partners during the 2019/20 season – a golden year for the club that saw them win the European Challenge Cup for the first time. With an office in Bristol, a number of our pensions team have grown up supporting the Bears. To be part of this golden generation – with the Wilton wings gracing the back of the jersey – is hugely exciting for us as a company.
Douglas Rugby Club
As long-term sponsors of the Isle of Man’s oldest rugby club, Douglas RUFC, we have been delighted to support their activities on the island as well as overseas – sponsoring the club throughout the season as well as on tour. In 2020, we sponsored the club’s exhibition fixture against Lancaster’s Vale of Lune XV – a celebration of historic links between the island and its closest UK city. In January 2022, we gladly sponsored their junior team’s tour of Bristol – including a round-robin tournament, hospitality tickets to Bristol Bears and the chance to meet their heroes as official matchday mascots. By promoting junior rugby across the UK, we encourage more and more youngsters to take up the sport – thus ensuring that the future of rugby is in good hands.
FC Isle of Man
As a community-based football club, FC Isle of Man provide fantastic opportunities for Manx residents through exposure to regular, high-quality competition. The club are affiliated with the Isle of Man FA and compete in the NWCFL Division One (South). Wilton has proudly sponsored a number of their matches – followings years of championing grassroots and community sports on the island.
Durham University Football Club
As DUAFC shirt sponsors for over 10 years, we have been delighted to support by providing playing equipment, coaching staff as well as funding for tours. Throughout this tenure, the football club have enjoyed a period of unprecedented growth and success – rising from division Northern 3B to the highest echelons of BUCS (British Universities and College Sports). Wilton has also recruited a number of Durham University graduates over the years – creating opportunities for candidates at all stages of development.
Charities
Veterans
As a proud employer of veterans, Wilton keeps a close relationship with the military community – putting our resources behind their efforts whenever possible. In the summer of 2020, Wilton opened its doors to Operation Nightingale – a voluntary relief project that mobilised the skills and experience of our veteran community in the UK’s fight against COVID-19. For a three-month period, in which a team of veterans delivered thousands of meals and lifesaving PPE to NHS hospitals across London, Wilton’s were used as a base from which the volunteers organised, ate and slept. We have also proudly sponsored Project Iron Souls – a series of extreme challenges to help to rebuild lives outside of the military, to access new career opportunities and to find a focus and discipline that supports their mental and physical wellbeing.
Isle of Man Awards for Excellence
At the Isle of Man’s annual Awards for Excellence ceremony, the Wilton Award for Our Local Heroes celebrates the exceptional work of individuals or organisations within the community. In 2021, for their work as both the nation’s leading first aid charity and emergency response team, the volunteers at St John’s Ambulance Service won the prize. Over the years, the event has become something of an institution on the island – with members of the community coming together to celebrate the success of companies, charities and individuals within the public sector. It is our honour to back such an important award category.
Extraordinary Islanders
As sponsors of the Extraordinary Islanders campaign, Wilton celebrates the remarkable actions of individuals and groups within the Manx community. The annual event has doubled as a celebration of the island’s precious community spirit which, as the website states, ‘continues to shine through loud and proud’. In the last few years, the event’s focus has shifted to those who have themselves at risk to ensure the continued safety of their fellow islanders throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Winners are voted for by the public and personalized prizes, both sourced and purchased on the island, are awarded by the campaign.
Taylorian Productions
Since its formation in 2007, Wilton-sponsored Taylorian Productions, through their high-quality theatre productions, have done a great deal for the development of the arts relationship between the UK and the Isle of Man. Through community workshops, Taylorian strives to engage, educate and entertain the next generation of artists and theatre lovers. Having launched the careers of a number of Manx residents, the company continues to bring memorable entertainment to the island, providing an experience worth more than the price of a ticket.
Great Western Air Ambulance
Great Western Air Ambulance – a locally funded Air Ambulance service – is a charity dedicated to saving lives within the community. Founded in 2008, they provide crucial emergency care to people in distress who either cannot be reached by road or to those that require the specialist skills of their team. They work closely with NHS Hospitals as well as the regional 999 response team. The charity wholly depends on donations from the community and, at Wilton, we are proud to have contributed in part to this process.
Scoil Aonghusa
Scoil Aonghusa is a school in Cashel, Ireland that caters for children with moderate to severe learning disabilities, as well as Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Their aim is for each student to reach their full potential by participating in school, home and community life to the maximum of their ability. As their mission statement reads – independent living skills are integral to school life. Wilton has been delighted, over the years, to support the school with an annual donation.
Canine Partners
Canine Partners is a UK-based charity that provides specially trained dogs to enable people with disabilities to enjoy a greater independence and a better quality of life. Wilton has supported Canine Partners for a number of years. We are proud to be associated with this dynamic charity.
Great Western Air Ambulance
Great Western Air Ambulance is a charity funded Air Ambulance service founded in 2008, who are ready to save the lives of local people in the community. They provide lifesaving emergency care to people who cannot be reached by road, or are in a state so critical that they require the specialist skills of our team at the scene of the accident.
Though they are part of the regional 999 response service and work closely with NHS hospitals, they are a charity entirely funded by local people.
Scoil Aonghusa
Scoil Aonghusa is a school for children with moderate to severe learning disabilities. Some of the students also have emotional problems. The school’s goal is to help each student reach their full potential by taking into account every child’s physical, emotional, social, intellectual, moral and spiritual wellbeing.
Durham University
Wilton has recruited a number of graduates from Durham University who are building their careers with us. We continue to offer similar opportunities to new graduates. Wilton has been associated with Durham for over a decade and has sponsored the University’s football team, through which they can purchase playing equipment and coaching staff. With the help of these continued investments, DUAFC has enjoyed an unprecedented golden period of success: in four years we have risen from division Northern 3B to the highest echelon of the BUCS (British Universities and College Sport) pyramid.”