TT fortnight is almost here and, as we speak, the Bushy’s Beer Tent and stage is being erected on the bottle neck car park.

Which means that, amongst other things, it is almost time for Manx Charity Aid 2017.

Each year, on the first Sunday of practice week, the Carole Nash stage is christened by a day’s worth of entertainment, featuring some of the top Manx bands.

Seven different musicians and groups, plus a selection of bands from the youth music project Soundcheck, will get the TT week entertainment off and running this Sunday.

The Soundcheck bands will take to the stage from midday until 2.15pm, Featuring ten groups and solo artists who are connected with the music initiative.

They will be followed by singer/songwriter Ian Thompson.

Next at 3.30pm will be singer Alex Harris, then after him will be the Chris Winchester Band, followed by Symbollix, Power Cut, and visiting UK Group Sweet Revenge.

Manx metal group Fugue State will finish of the night at 10.30pm.

Charity Aid is organised by Andrea Dentith, Sandra Herbert and Ian Bradley, plus a core group of volunteers. Andrea said that they hope this year, the 12th time Manx Charity Aid will have been held, will be a landmark year.

’We hope that this year we raise around £8,400,’ said Andrea. ’That would take the total we have raised in the 12 years to £100,000.’

This year, they will be donating money to four charities, Hospice, Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, Parent2Parent and the Special Care Baby Unit.

In total, 78 charities have benefitted from the fund-raising event.

’We support so many, because it is hard to choose one charity that fits all,’ said Andrea.

’We all have people who have been affected by so many different things, and we each have a particular cause that means something that bit more to each of us. So it is great that we can help so many out.

’All the committee members are proud to be part of this, to organise something which raises so much money for so many charities.’

She also thanked the team at Bushy’s Beer Tent.

’We wouldn’t be able to do this without the help of Martin Brunnschweiler and the staff at the tent.

’His team get everything up and running, and working smoothly, and we just come along with our bands.

’We are also very grateful to the public, who come along every year and donate their money.

’Without the support from people who want to come to the gigs in the first place, we wouldn’t get anywhere.’

The doors open at the tent at midday, and will be open until midnight. Tickets for Manx Charity Aid are £10 each, available on the door.

by Mike wade

twitter:@mwislandlife