More than 100 Islanders, who are sponsored by Wightlink, came together for coffee and cake in Newport to update ferry company staff about their activities over the last year. Cyclists, rowers, footballers, athletes, sailors, skateboarders, musicians, singers and many more talented Islanders packed Quay Arts for the annual event. They all receive assisted travel to compete, perform or make connections on the mainland. 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. Nick said:
“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”.
Julie Cooper from the Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team added:
“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.”
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.”
“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.”
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Wightlink’s window for applications for community sponsorship in 2025 will open on Tuesday 1st October 2024.
Strange they do this for the community but run a poor ferry service for the rest of us .. still impresses their shareholders ..
Julie & Jerry Cooper from WWM think they are the elite of cycling on the Island and don’t even speak or wave to other cyclist ls
Cyclists are a pain in the a@se the way they cycle on Island roads
Maybe they need to concentrate on running a proper, regular service rather than all this PR stuff?
Well said I totally agree..
Wightlink seem to be better at sponsorship than running
Ferries
Lol
Maybe they could sponsor a decent ferry company.
They need to learn how to run a ferry service first ,before they anything else.