The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company recently supported seven courageous cyclists who came to the Island for a six-and-a-half hour 70-mile circumnavigation of Manx shores – raising more than £1,800 for the Kim Smith Fund, a supporter group for the Brain Tumour Charity.
The Fund was set up in memory of Kim Smith after she passed away following a 16-month battle with brain cancer in 2016. Family and friends, all from Cleveleys, Lancashire, now organise and participate in a main annual fundraiser as well as other smaller events; in 2017 the main event was a Coast to Coast bike ride from Lancashire across to Yorkshire and in 2018 they hosted a Masquerade Ball.
Organiser Karley Smith, daughter of Kim, said: ‘The cyclists were my Dad, brother, boyfriend, three family friends and myself. It was a tough ride, a lot more hills than we had anticipated! The views around the Isle of Man were incredible, we got to take in every viewpoint around the Island and the weather was fantastic. The forecast had been terrible so the only explanation we can come up with is that our guardian angel (my Mum) had sorted the weather for us.
‘The people of the Island were amazing too. We got some great encouragement along the way from motorcyclists passing us and also had generous donations during our stops in Peel, Ramsey, the Queens pub in Laxey and at the end in Douglas at the Queens pub on the promenade. The Steam Packet Company’s help with travel costs was very welcome and helpful for our fundraising.’
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward added: ‘We would like to congratulate Karley and her family and friends for their achievement and ongoing fundraising for this important charity and are delighted they were able to enjoy the Island at its best.’
The group of cyclists just before arriving in Peel.
