Late TT star Dan Kneen’s family paid their tributes by cycling along the heritage trail while raising money in his memory.

Billy Kneen, nine, had wanted to do something positive for his cousin and with the help of his mum Sara and others he cycled from Douglas to Peel and back along the former railway line.

’Dan was really nice,’ he previously told the Manx Independent.

’He took me to trials and I always used to see him at the TT and he would let me sit on his bike every year.

’I told mum that I wanted to raise money for his charity and she came up with the idea of cycling to Peel and back.’

The event comes a year after Dan’s fatal crash at Churchtown shortly after the start of the Wednesday evening practice session on May 30, 2018. He was 30 years old.

A charity has been set up in his memory, which will benefit initiatives that supported the late TT racer from Onchan.

Nicknamed ’Billy the Bullet’ by Dan, the Cronk y Berry pupil managed to raise more than £1,500 before the crowd of 50 set off on their bicycles from Quarterbridge on Sunday (June 9).

Sara said: ’We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed with everybody who came down, handing in sponsor forms and money.

’It just shows how well-liked Dan was. His grandad, dad, aunty, nana, uncle, cousins and lots of friends have come along.’

Richard, Dan’s father, said: ’It’s great to remember Dan and a good way to raise money for the charity.

’Some good will come out of it - the money raised will be going to different charities.

’It’s better to have something that puts something back into the community and to remember Dan in that way.’

Richard explained that he was riding Dan’s old bicycle for the fundraising event.

’This year we saw Ryan, Dan’s brother, start off at the TT. All five of us raced, so the TT has been a big part of our family,’ he continued.

’At the end of the day we do it because we love doing it. Dan loved doing it and he was happy and we were happy for him. He was a genuine, laid back, friendly lad.

’It’s sad it’s happened. He’ll always be remembered.’

Dan has been described as ’humble and genuine’ by many and it was clear that he was a popular racer.

’Around 2,500 people turned up to his funeral, including the Lieutenant Governor who said Dan was one of the first people he met here in the island,’ Richard explained.

’When Prince William came over last year it was his idea to meet the family. He was interested in knowing about Dan.

’He was spot on and said: "If you ever want start a charity I’d put my name to it".’

This year Richard and others had ’a beer for Dan’ at the grandstand where a new memorial bench has also been placed.