News

STEAM PACKET COMPANY SUPPORTS RETURN OF HEROES ON THE WATER

6/7/2016

Heroes on the Water will return to the Isle of Man this month with assistance from the Steam Packet Company.

 

The charity provides rehabilitation and social integration for members of the military, emergency services and others who have been injured – physically or emotionally – while carrying out a public duty. Heroes on the Water Isle of Man was launched in 2014 as a fundraising partner for Heroes on the Water UK, which uses kayak fishing to provide rehabilitation and integration for its members.

 

Since its launch HOW Isle of Man has arranged visits to the Island and this year is bringing over five guests as part of its work, with the Steam Packet Company assisting with the cost of travel. It has organised a kayak fishing event at 10.00am on 16th July in Port Erin Bay.

 

Tony Palmer, one of the event organisers, said: ‘This is the third year that HOW Isle of Man has worked in partnership with HOW UK and Kayak Fishing Isle of Man to put on a kayak fishing event to raise much-needed funds for this fantastic charity. The kayaking competition will involve visiting ex-service personnel alongside more than 30 local kayak fishermen and women from Kayak Fishing IOM.

 

‘Visitors from the charity this year include Martin Hurst, who is a Trustee of HOW UK as well as being a member of the Ocean Kayak UK fishing team, Neil Whitehead, who is the captain of the HOW UK fishing team, and three other veterans who have benefited from working with the charity.’

 

He added: ‘HOW Isle of Man has plans to run a number of free kayak fishing sessions in the Island each year for local service personnel, both currently serving and retired.

 

‘If there are any serving or retired military or emergency personnel who think they would like to get involved or just find out more, then please go to www.heroesonthewater-uk.org or call me on 484498.’

 

The group has an agreement with the Joey Dunlop Foundation to provide specialist accommodation free of charge at Braddan Bridge House for visiting ex-military and emergency service personnel if they are part of the HOW initiative.

 

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘There are HOW projects around the world, including in Australia and the USA, and it’s wonderful that it has now reached the Isle of Man. We’ve been very pleased to support Heroes on the Water since the initiative was brought to the Island; it does important work with people injured in public service, providing important rehabilitation and integration support, and we hope this year’s visit goes well.’