The three women who organised a Facebook page to help TT fans have been rewarded with a community spirit award.

The PokerStars Spirit of the TT award is given annually to the person or persons who best represent the ethos and values of the TT races.

Barbara Keene, from Jurby, Margaret Cain, from Douglas, and Sandra Diamond, from Ramsey, were part of our front page story in Thursday’s Independent, after their ’TT and Manx Grand Prix Helpline’ page helped fans hit by a ferry cancellation and bad weather.

The three women set up the page to help TT fans after campsites flooded in 2015 and this year collected a list of more than 100 people willing to put up bikers in emergencies. The women visited the Sea Terminal and campsites to offer help to anyone who needed it.

The page also offers help with lost and found items, emergency numbers, and boat and air ticket swaps.

The Spirit of TT Award was accepted by DED minister and the government’s Tourism and Motorsport representative, Rob Callister, on behalf of the three women, who were unable to attend the Grandstand presentation on Senior Race Day.

Mr Callister said: ’These three ladies typify the spirit that the Isle of Man’s people have shown in helping to look after our visitors. We want everyone to leave the Isle of Man with a positive experience and the contribution that the Facebook helpline team have made has been invaluable and everyone associated with the event is very grateful to them.’

PokerStars director of corporate communications Eric Hollreiser said: ’This is undoubtedly a well-deserved award given the challenges that the Isle of Man has faced with weather and these three people have taken it on themselves in a voluntary capacity to offer their help.

’They have used a simple common sense digital solution to a problem to provide a service to improve the experience of many of the visitors to the island and their success and the impact of the site demonstrates the positive power of social media to improve lives and help people in need.’