ne of the hard-working TT marshals will be thanked for their commitment with a holiday at the Southern 100, courtesy of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and the Sefton Group.
The companies have teamed up to offer a holiday to this year’s Steam Packet-supported Southern 100 to the lucky winner of a competition for marshals who volunteer their services each year for the TT and Manx Grand Prix.
The Steam Packet Company and Sefton Group, which often work together to promote and package holidays by ferry to the Island, first offered this prize when approached by TT Marshals’ Association Chairman Terry Holmes ahead of last year’s TT. It proved so popular, the prize is being offered again.
Steam Packet Sales Development Manager Brian Convery said:
“The ‘orange army’, as marshals are known, provide a vital service which allows racing to go-ahead. Without these hard-working volunteers, the TT couldn’t happen. They spend many hours at their posts, not always in the best weather conditions, and they do it for free, often using up holidays to volunteer.”
“We already work very closely with the TTMA, offering discounted travel when members travel to attend recruitment events in the UK and a discount to marshals who volunteer for both the TT and MGP, so when the TTMA asked for donations towards its prize draw, we were very keen to get involved,” he added.
“I came up with the idea of offering a holiday, and our hotel partners, the Sefton Group, were delighted to support the idea by giving free accommodation for a marshal and a companion. The feedback we had was fantastic, so we were more than happy to once again say ‘thank you’ to the marshals by offering the holiday prize again this year.”
Nicola Wilkinson, acting Sefton Group Marketing Manager, said: “We were happy to support Brian’s idea last year, and delighted to offer the prize again this year.”
“Marshals give up their own time as volunteers to ensure the racing can go ahead, instead of enjoying a relaxing time at the TT as spectators. Hopefully this prize, which includes ferry travel and bed and breakfast at the Sefton Hotel during Southern 100 week, will give the winner and their guest a chance to relax and enjoy watching the racing at Billown.”
The prize draw will take place during TT Race Week. TTMA Chairman Terry Holmes said: ‘I’d like to thank the Steam Packet Company and the Sefton Group, on behalf of the Association and all the marshals, for their generosity. The dedication and enthusiasm shown by the marshals is humbling, and prizes like this are the Island’s way of saying “thank you” for all their efforts.”
Caption: (from left) Steam Packet Marking and Online Manager Renée Caley, TTMA Chairman Terry Holmes, acting Sefton Group Marketing Manager Nicola Wilkinson, TTMA Vice Chairman Gordy Moore and Steam Packet Sales Development Manager Brian Convery
