A Director of the Rob Vine Fund has praised the fantastic generosity of passengers on board Steam Packet Company vessels during this year’s TT after they donated almost ?14,000 to the charity.

Rob, who hailed from Dover in Kent, was a regular TT competitor, who lost his life at Black Dub during the 1985 Senior TT. In conjunction with Dr. David B. Stevens MBE, Chief Medical Officer for the TT and Manx Grand Prix races at the time, Rob’s family established a Noble’s Hospital-administered Gift Account.

In 2005 the Rob Vine Fund was set up as a separate Registered Charity (No 954 [Isle of Man]). The purposes of the Fund have remained unchanged for more than 25 years – to provide medical/rescue equipment and training for all doctors, paramedics and marshals involved in two, three or four-wheeled motorsport events in the Isle of Man.

The collection on board Steam Packet Company vessels during the TT period was first organised by the crew in 1995. Following this year’s donation, it means more than ?190,000 has now been raised.

Dr Stevens, who is Secretary and Director of the Fund, said: ‘The generosity of the TT fans is fantastic. This is the biggest single donation that we receive each year and goes towards purchasing new equipment which is vital to those competing in the many motorsport events that we hold in the Island. I would like to thank those fans who gave so generously and the crew of the Steam Packet vessels who help coordinate the collection on our behalf.’

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We’re proud of our crews who organise the collections and each year the kindness of our passengers during the TT period is incredible. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the collections for the Fund over the years.’

Photo - Steam Packet Company Captain John Pirrie presents a cheque for almost ?14,000 to Dr David Stevens MBE, representing the Rob Vine Fund, the money raised from collections on board Steam Packet Company vessels during this year’s TT.