More than 100 Isle of Wight people sponsored by Wightlink came together for coffee and cake in Newport to update ferry company staff about their activities over the last year. They all receive assisted travel to compete, perform or make connections on the mainland and many of their stories can be found on the Wightlink in the Community Facebook page.
Cyclists, rowers, footballers, athletes, sailors, skateboarders, musicians, singers and many more talented Islanders packed Quay Arts for the annual event.
Percy: Sponsorship has meant I could compete with the best
Discus thrower Nick Percy is about to represent Great Britain at the Paris Olympics 2024. He has been sponsored for 14 years, competing at the Commonwealth Games and in world championships, but this will be his first Olympics.
He says,
“Throughout my career as an athlete, it has been incredible to have Wightlink’s support.
“When I was younger, I was training on the mainland four times a week and the sponsorship has meant I could compete with the best.”
Cooper: We wouldn’t have a race team if it wasn’t for the sponsorship
Julie Cooper from the Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team adds,
“We’ve got the talent on the Island, but our young men and women need to cross the Solent to race against the country’s best cyclists.
“We wouldn’t have a race team if it wasn’t for the sponsorship.”
Enabling support
Musicians frequently travel from the mainland with Wightlink to play in concerts with the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra. IWSO Chairman Tim Isard says,
“Wightlink’s sponsorship enables us to bring across prestigious soloists to delight our audiences and guest players for the Orchestra.”
Environmental support
As Wightlink sails through some of the most beautiful waters in the UK, the ferry company has forged partnerships with several conservation and environmental organisations.
With Blue Marine Foundation, Wightlink hosts oyster nurseries at its port in Lymington to replenish local stocks of the shellfish. The ferry company also supports Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust with cross-Solent travel and partners with marine scientists from the University of Portsmouth to offer outreach activities including workshops on board ferries and interactive sessions for children from Isle of Wight primary schools.
Egerton-Read: It’s good to have Wightlink’s support
Wightlink transports young white-tailed eagles for release on the Isle of Wight, through an initiative by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation. Steve Egerton-Read from Forestry England says,
“Our project to reintroduce white-tailed eagles is going well with 29 birds released so far but it’s a long journey for the birds from Scotland and it’s good to have Wightlink’s support to cross the Solent when they’re almost at their new home.”
Event organisers also welcomed the winners of Wightlink’s £10,000 Green Innovation Fund: electric cargo bike courier service Keert and the Waterside Community Trust in Ryde.
Greenfield: There are so many talented people of all ages on the Isle of Wight
Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield, explains,
“This gathering is a highlight of the year for us.
“There are so many talented people of all ages on the Isle of Wight and we always enjoy hearing their news.
“We are proud to support teams, charities and good causes to help them achieve their potential.”
Wightlink’s window for applications for community sponsorship in 2025 will open on Tuesday 1 October 2024.
News shared by Karen on behalf of Wightlink. Ed
