People who have been collecting stamps in their Mannin Aboo passports are being urged to return them this week for a chance to win prizes.

Culture Vannin says its Manx language passport scheme is drawing to a close, with completed booklets needing to be posted before the entry deadline.

The announcement says Friday is the deadline for completed passports to be returned, ahead of a prize draw planned for early next week.

The scheme, launched earlier in 2026 as part of Blein ny Gaelgey, the Year of the Manx Language, has encouraged residents and visitors to practise basic Manx phrases in shops, cafés and cultural attractions.

The initiative's name means ‘Hurray for the Isle of Man’, and it was designed for people of all ages, using simple everyday interactions to encourage greater confidence in speaking Manx.

Thousands of pocket-sized passports were distributed through primary schools, with other copies made available free to the public.

Participants could collect 18 different stamps by visiting destinations in three categories: Shapp, Cultoor and Bee as Jough, covering shops, culture, and food and drink.

At each participating location, people were encouraged to use greetings such as ‘Moghrey mie’, meaning good morning, or ‘Gura mie ayd’, meaning thank you.

Completed passports qualify for a prize draw, with organisers reporting that entries have already been arriving in large numbers.

Tiffany Kerruish, Culture Vannin's Year of the Manx Language coordinator, said: ‘Mannin Aboo Passports are flying through our letterbox here at Culture Vannin. Every completed passport represents a huge achievement and means that Manx has been spoken at least 18 times (per passport) out and about across our Island community in local shops, hospitality and cultural venues - Jeant dy mie ooilley / Well done everybody! We’re really excited to pull the draw early next week and let our winners know!’

Prizes donated by participating destinations include a £250 Steam Packet voucher, a Samsonite suitcase from Curpheys, family Santa Train tickets, jewellery from Element Isle and an experience from Manx National Heritage.

Other prizes include vouchers from businesses involved in the initiative.

The passport was designed to make speaking Manx part of ordinary activities rather than something confined to classrooms or organised lessons.

It forms part of the wider year-long programme organised by Culture Vannin in partnership with Jeebin, the Manx language network.

The original launch invited businesses to become passport destinations without charge, allowing people to visit participating shops, cultural venues and hospitality businesses while building confidence using the language.

Organisers said the aim was to help people become more comfortable using occasional Manx words when out and about.

Those still collecting stamps can find a list of participating venues at yearofmanx.im/participating-destinations/.

The passports can be returned using the postage-paid arrangement provided by the Isle of Man Post Office.

Culture Vannin thanked the participating venues, prize sponsors and postal service for their involvement.

The initiative is supported by the Domestic Event Fund.

Organisers intend to make the prize draw early next week and contact the winners afterwards.