HISTORY OF THE MGP SUPPORTERS CLUB
With the Manx Grand Prix (MGP) returning today after a three-year hiatus, the spotlight is on one of our biggest champions, the Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club. The registered charity which celebrates its 47th anniversary this year, raises essential funds for the motorcycling event, including funding rescue helicopters and essential medical equipment. The charity also supports injured riders and the families of those that are lost while competing.
A fateful day
The Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club was officially formed on the 15th September 1975 as a result of an incident, which occurred during the MGP’s traditional Thursday afternoon practice session. Rider, Mick Bird, came off his Yamaha at Quarry Bends and had to wait a considerable amount of time for the arrival of an ambulance which was coming from Ramsey via the Wildlife Park at Ballaugh, so he could be taken to hospital to receive treatment. At the time the rescue helicopter was only available on the two race days, leaving the practice week without coverage.
It was this incident on that fateful day that inspired a group of like-minded people to raise funds to support the running of the rescue helicopter throughout the entirety of the race meeting – and so the MGP Supporters Club was born. Over the course of the next 12 months, founding members, Gwen Crellin, Gerald Callister, Essie Callister, and Raymond Caley held a staggering 13 fundraising events, until enough was raised to pay for a Practice Week helicopter ahead of the 1976 MGP.
Fundraising efforts
Throughout the last four decades the Club has campaigned arduously, raising funds in excess of £1 million - a considerable amount of which is donated to the Manx Motor Cycle Club in support of the MGP, the Rescue Helicopter Fund and Injured Riders Fund.
The Club, which has seen its membership grow far and wide over the years, has held hundreds of fundraising events - both on and off the Island. All in aid of the rescue helicopters, which perform a vital function and are essential to the safety management on the Mountain Course on MGP practice and race days. The Club also provides essential medical equipment for use around the TT course, hospitality for the riders, in addition to looking after the welfare of riders unfortunate enough to be injured.
As well as fundraising, the Club has traditionally arranged and provided hospitality for the riders at the event. The Club had a modest start at their first MGP in 1976, providing food and drinks for riders out of a humble shed at the Grandstand. As the years went by, and the Club grew, they moved to a Grandstand marquee and then on to the Hailwood Centre, in later years heading back to the Grandstand – and a much bigger marquee!
Well-deserved recognition
In 1994, the Club’s then Patron, Gwen Crellin, was awarded an MBE by the Queen for her services to the community, which included recognition of her tireless fundraising efforts for Isle of Man motorcycle racing. A well-deserved honour for the campaigner, who was affectionately nicknamed by riders as the ‘Lady in White’.
Over the last 47 years the Club has been lucky enough to have had a dedicated band of committee members and volunteers - all of whom are unpaid. John Kermeen was a very early member and Chairman of the Club for 25 years from 1984 to 2009, working tirelessly to get the Club the name it has today.
2022 onwards
2022 sees the welcome return of the MGP following the pandemic and sees a new format with a reduced event, now down to nine days. It also sees a major change to the MGP Club’s rescue helicopter support. Following an event review, the rescue helicopters required to cover the event are now fully funded by the Isle of Man Government, and as such the charity’s funds will be used to support the MGP in other ways. This includes supporting riders with entry, travel, and kit costs. As always, the Club continues to provide essential medical equipment for the motorcycling event, whilst helping injured riders and their families.
If you would like to raise money, donate, or become a member of the Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club, please contact the Club’s Chairman, Allan Brew by email at: mgpsupportersclub@manx.net, or by telephone on 01624 813317/07624 438438. Annual membership is £10 per year, life membership is £40.
To find out more about the Club’s charity work and fundraising events, visit their Facebook page at: facebook.com/ManxGrandPrixSupportersClub
