As ever it was an event vibrant with the glitz and glamour of achievement where the efforts of so many unpaid volunteers who provide cover at motorsport events in the island were recognised.

Considered by some to be the Oscars ceremony of the motorsport medical services world, the annual Hoggies awards were started by Dr David Stevens MBE as a way of thanking the supporters of the Hogg Motorsport Association.

Stuart Greaves, Hogg Motorsport Association chairman and this year’s host, told guests: ’We cover 135 event sessions every year, including the TT, Festival of Motorcycling and Southern 100 races.

’Many hours are put into these and other events, so this is our way of saying thank you to our supporters and their partners.’

He said the organisation needed constant funding to keep its equipment updated and had just taken delivery of our second new ambulance.

’We are hoping to purchase a third in 2019,’ he said.

In addition, he said the Rob Vine Fund charity paid for equipment used around the Mountain Course, such as the 130 scoop stretchers, which cost more than £550 apiece.

’We have also provided a grant to the Skills Centre at Noble’s Hospital. Also scholarships for people involved in Manx motorsport to update their medical training,’ he said.

On the topic of fundraising, a special thank you was extended to the Steam Packet Company, which has for the past 23 years collected donations from its passengers during the TT period, raising a total of £250,000 so far.

Challenging

Winner of the evening’s first award was East Yorkshireman Tom Ramsay, 26, who raised money for the charity in memory of his friend, James Cowton, who was killed in last year’s S100 races.

Tom, along with Richard Baldwin, another friend of James, took on a cycling challenge known as ’Everesting’: cycling repeatedly to the top of a hill until they had covered a distance equivalent to an ascent of Everest.

Both are keen cyclists and Tom is a professional cycling coach. Richard suggested ’doing it for the fun of it!’ he said.

’We chose an East Yorkshire landmark known as Garrowby Hill. We made 52 ascents, covering 29,029 feet and the total distance ridden was 145 miles in 12 and a half hours of riding time.

’At the end, I was knackered,’ he said. ’It was a long day and the weather was against us. It was muggy and raining, then a lorry broke down near the top of the hill, which interrupted our progress, waiting to pass it, but it turned out the breakdown driver who turned up also knew James so he was cheering us on too.’

Tom and Richard’s efforts raised just over £1,000 for the Rob Vine Fund.

’I like to do a challenge each year,’ Tom added, ’but it’s unlikely I’ll do that again.’

The local award went to Neil Elder for his help building a mezzanine area to store equipment in the charity’s garage, as well as a new crew room.

The crew award went to Dave Daugherty for his dedication to Hogg Motorsport.

The donations award went to Gary and Gail Corlett, for the huge amount collected in buckets at their home on Bray Hill during the TT.

A special award went to Hogg member Stephen Griffiths and his wife Nicola who went above and beyond the call of duty by producing two potential new crew members in the form of twins. ’They should be ready to act as crew by 2035,’ Stuart said.

Finally, special recognition was given to Shaun Hogg and his parents Alec and Sheila in memory of Shaun’s brother Phil Hogg, who lost his life in the TT in 1989.

The family has organised the annual Hogg charity auction for 30 years, and has raised in the region of £250,000. The final auction takes place this year, on Friday, February 22 at the Palace Hotel, Douglas.