(30-06-2009, 07:49 AM)George Wrote:

(29-06-2009, 06:29 PM)thewitch Wrote: George, I must correct some of what you say. Firstly there is already a very generous fund which helps riders, officials and others involved in all forms of motorcycle sport here on the Island. It is the ACU BEN Fund, administered by Wyn Evans. Many, many people have been helped over the years, and continue to be. The BEN Fund is under great pressure at the moment, with major demands on its funds and less money being given as people are hard up. There will be a big fundraising drive for the BEN soon.
I must also correct you on the Joey Dunlop Foundation which is not and never was a fund for the purpose you suggest. It was constituted to raise funds to provide an accessible building for disabled riders and others to stay here for the TT, MGP, and holiday breaks. It has acquired Braddan Bridge House and is in the process of having it adapted for that.

The ACU Ben Fund at present stands at £80k in the fund, agreed Wyn Evans is a wonderful lady but she too would have a very limited access to ACU funds, the same fund is not just for road racers its for track racers , car racers, off roaders etc etc, So the fund does need to be boosted or seperated to help road racers where the most serious injuries occur.
The JDF fund was set up to create a hostel for injured riders and families which is much needed. Once the lodge is up and running I have been told that any excess funds will be used for the injured riders.

A central fund set up for road racers will benefit all and not just a few, and if I only had £10 to donate I would like to see it shared and the effort required to split the tenner down and send it to 10 different funds would put people off.

If funds were set up for every rider or official hurt at this years TT, do you not think it would create bad publicity for the sport ????.