TT fortnight gets under way this weekend, with the highlight of the entertainment being a full day of bands raising money for charities.

The Manx Charity Aid concert takes place at the Bushy’s TT Village tomorrow (Sunday, May 26), beginning at 12pm and running through to midnight.

Entry to the TT Village, in the Villa Marina Gardens, is just £2, with the opportunity to donate more.

Nine local groups will take part, following a performances by a selection of young groups from the Soundcheck youth music project, who will be on stage from midday to 3pm.

The Bare Foot Revolution will be on from 3.15pm, followed on the hour by goth rockers Slow Decay and indie group Sunset Jet.

Rock cover groups Bombshell and Symbolix bring the event into the evening, followed by singer songwriter Mae Challis and her backing band, the Funk Brothers, who will be on from 8.15pm.

She will be followed by another rock group, Power Cut, and the musical marathon will be brought to a close by the soul funk group Last Drags and the metal band Fugue State.

Now in its 14th year, the concert is seen by many as the best way to kickstart the two weeks of festivities and entertainment.

The concert has long been associated with Bushy’s, and last year moved from the Bottleneck car park to the TT Village.

This year, the concert will take place entirely on the spectacular main stage, after teething troubles last year meant that the concert took place in the beer tent.

Organiser Andrea Gale said that last year’s event raised more than £8,000 for five different charities, and organisers are hoping for a similar success this time around.

’We were amazed by the response we had last year,’ said Andrea.

’We had to change our format with the new venue and, whereas we used to charge £10 entry at the Bottleneck, we decided just to charge £2 at the Villa, with opportunities for people to donate as much as they would like.

’People were so generous and very supportive.

’This year we are raising money for Autism Initiative, Mannin Cancer Support, the Lisa Lowe Centre, Rebecca House and Soundcheck,’ she said.

’We’re looking forward top having another wonderful day, and listening to some of the many talented groups the island has to offer.

’And we are also very grateful to the support of Martin and all the team at Bushy’s, to Manx Business Solutions and to Justin and ELS for the use of the stage.’