Visiting TT fans this year contributed more than ever to the Rob Vine Fund charity.

This year, collections on board Steam Packet ferries amassed £19,465 for the charity - more then £3,000 above the previous highest total.

This year’s cheque was presented to Dr David Stevens, secretary and director of the Rob Vine Fund.

Dr Stevens said: ’I am overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of TT fans.

’Every year they demonstrate fantastic support for the fund but the total donated in 2017, which has smashed the previous record, has astonished us all.

’Every penny will go towards helping the fund to continue its important work ensuring vital medical and rescue equipment is available and medic training continues.’

He added: ’This year the collections have passed the £250,000 milestone, and I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all those fans who have donated over the years, and also to every member of Steam Packet Company crew and staff who has been involved in co-ordinating annual collections on our behalf to reach this incredible total.’

In fact, more than £255,000 has been donated to the fund since the first annual Steam Packet collection was held in the mid-1990s.

The fund was established in memory of Rob Vine, a TT competitor who died after a crash at Black Dub during the 1985 Senior TT.

The charity provides pre-hospital medical and rescue care, equipment, including basic first aid and advanced life support equipment around the TT Mountain Course.

It also supplies medical and rescue equipment carried on helicopter ambulances used during the TT, Manx Grand Prix and Southern 100 events.

l To read about more cheque presentations turn to page 49 of this week’s Isle of Man Examiner.