Giving Back To Our Community
As we approach the end of an unusual year, we’re looking back at some of the individuals and groups we have had the pleasure of supporting in 2021 – shining a spotlight on some of the wonderful initiatives within the Isle of Man community.
HORSES FOR HEALTH
Earlier in the year the Isle of Man took part in the Great Horses for Health Relay 2021. The British Isles-wide initiative was developed to celebrate horses and how they supported people throughout COVID-19, while also raising funds and promoting awareness of a number of important equine issues.
We were pleased to transport the relay baton from Heysham to Douglas and then back to Liverpool free of charge. The Manx leg of the relay took place in summer with six rides totalling 59km taking place across the Island throughout the day. There was a great turnout with more than 40 horses and riders, cyclists, walkers and carriages taking part.
TREC ISLE OF MAN
This year we also offered travel support to TREC Isle of Man as they represented the Island at the 2021 TREC GB National Championships in South-East Wales.
In their fourth visit to a National Championship, the team competed in three categories: Level 2 Pairs, Level 2 Individual and Level 2A Individual with events including orienteering; MA – a control of paces whereby competitors must canter as slowly as they can, then come back along the same route walking as quickly as they can, without breaking pace; and PTV – typically 16 obstacles to navigate, which include jumps, ditches, banks and bending.
BEACH BUDDIES ISLE OF MAN
A proud supporter of Beach Buddies Isle of Man, our association with the beach-cleaning charity goes back many years. Support this year was in the form of transporting its new truck to the Island free-of-charge.
The distinctive red Isuzu DMax Fury replaced its old vehicle which clocked up an average 20,000 miles around the Island each year, recovering large bags of marine litter and transporting vast quantities of rubbish which has been washed up on Manx shores.
MOVEMBER CHALLENGE
Throughout the month of November, nine Isle of Man Steam Packet Company staff took the Movember pledge – committing to growing and grooming a moustache with the aim of collectively raising £1,000.
An office bake-off was organised too, providing all members of the team with the opportunity to get involved in fundraising activities. Staff were invited to bring in home-baked goods to be judged and sold, generating an additional £320 for Movember. In total we raised more than £1,300 for the charity, which is aiming to change the face of men’s health on a global scale by focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
MANX POLICE CADETS
We are proud of our roots in the maritime industry having first set sail way back in 1830. It’s a sector we are keen to support whenever we get the chance, whether that’s nurturing future talent in our own workshops, joining together with Discover Ferries to promote ferry travel or, as we did earlier in the year, assisting young adults experience the thrill of sailing for themselves.
When five young Manx Police Cadets had the opportunity to travel to the UK to experience a week on board, Tall Ship Blue Clipper, organised through Isle of Man Maritime, we were pleased to lend a hand.
Ahead of setting sail some of our crew and Ferry Travel Shop team met with the cadets to wish them luck and give some advice. By all accounts the cadets had a great experience and we’re pleased to have able to assist in making that happen.
ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY CHAMPIONS
We are proud to support a number of talented local individuals – Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Champions – who receive fully sponsored ferry travel each year so they can compete in events on and off the Island. During 2021, this included Manx cycling star Tom Mazzone, the ‘Ramsey Rocket’ Conor Cummins, professional golfer Tom Gandy and up-and-coming motorcycling racer Nathan Harrison. Check out our blogs to see how they got on during 2021!
We support a wide variety of initiatives, projects and events each year as part of our ongoing commitment to the Isle of Man community. It’s a pleasure to work alongside the individuals and groups that make these great things happen and we’re looking forward to helping more in 2022 and beyond.