The Steam Packet Company is supporting a charity which is bringing seven injured former service personnel to experience a motorcycle road racing event in the Isle of Man.

It is the second year in a row the Company has assisted Letsdo with transport as part of the rehabilitation charity’s work bringing injured servicemen and women together to benefit from group activities.

Formed by Rob Maxwell and Steve Timblin, who both underwent limb amputations following injuries sustained while serving in the British Army, Letsdo aims to assist former armed forces personnel living with life-changing injuries come to terms with their injuries and find new confidence.

The group will attend the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Southern 100 International Road Races, which take place at the Billown circuit, Castletown, from 11th to 14th July. The Steam Packet Company is assisting with transport for the service veterans and their motorcycles, with four travelling from Heysham and three from Belfast.

Rob explained that living with life-changing injuries can be a roller-coaster of emotions and that a positive mental attitude can help people cope with their circumstances. After being injured himself, Rob returned to his passion of motorcycles and watching racing and said it had helped him. By forming Letsdo with Steve he hoped that sharing that experience with others could do the same for them.

He said: ‘Our first trip to the Southern 100 Road Races last year would not have been possible without the kind and generous assistance of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which sponsored our return ferry travel to the Isle of Man.

‘We had six ex-servicemen with a wide range of disabilities travelling on bikes. All apart from myself had never been to a road racing festival before, never mind to the beautiful Isle of Man. Once assembled at Heysham and Belfast the excitement began to build, and with assistance from the very helpful ferry staff and everyone on board our first-ever Letsdo rehabilitation trip began.

‘As it was the first trip, we were very keen to ask everyone how they felt about attending. The feedback was very promising, especially from one member who had expressed reservations about going as he was suffering from a bout of depression related to ongoing problems owing to injuries sustained in Afghanistan. These reservations soon melted away; he told me that the Island was helping him to heal and when he got back home he was going to tell others about his very positive experience.’

Rob added: 

‘This year we are taking seven people, plus their machines, and I must again thank the Steam Packet Company for very kindly providing much-needed assistance for us to get these individuals to the Southern 100.’

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said:

 ‘After hearing the very positive feedback from the first visit last year we were pleased to support Rob and Steve as they arranged another trip.

‘We’re honoured to play our part and hope attending the Southern 100, which we have sponsored for so many years, helps the personnel injured serving their country with their rehabilitation.’

To find out more about the charity visit http://www.letsdoevents.info or call 07543 419 833-/align]


Photograph: Some of the veterans who visited the Southern 100 last year with the Letsdo charity, supported by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company