Generous passengers on board Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessels during the 2016 TT festival donated almost £15,000 to the Rob Vine Fund.
Collections on sailings raised £14,913, meaning more than £235,000 has now been donated since the first annual Steam Packet Company collection for the Fund was held in the mid-1990s.
The Fund was established in memory of Rob Vine, a competitor who died after a crash at the Black Dub during the 1985 Senior TT. This year’s cheque was presented to Dr David Stevens MBE, Secretary and Director of the Rob Vine Fund, Registered Charity No 954 (Isle of Man).
Dr Stevens said: ‘Once again we have been blown away by the generosity of the TT fans; it is a fantastic total and will go a long way to helping the Fund continue its important work. Our sincere thanks to all those fans who gave, and to the Steam Packet Company crew who helped coordinate the collection on our behalf.’
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward added: ‘Every year the TT fans dig deep to support the Rob Vine Fund and 2016 was no exception. The collections have raised another terrific sum and I’d like to thank all who donated, and the staff and crew who coordinated and carried out the collections. Everyone should feel very proud of themselves.’
To find out more about the charity, visit www.robvinefund.im.
Photograph: Steam Packet Company crew and staff present a cheque for almost £15,000 to members of the Rob Vine Fund