+- TT Website Forum (https://www.ttwebsite.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Isle of Man TT Website (https://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: TT Related Posts (Only) (https://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=9)
+--- Thread: Stars show support for fundraiser in memory of Simon Andrews (/showthread.php?tid=18403)
Stars show support for fundraiser in memory of Simon Andrews - Malcolm - 01-12-2014
![[Image: siandrewsNW200practice.jpg]](http://www.ttwebsite.com/gifs/siandrewsNW200practice.jpg)
Simon Andrews in action during practice at the North West 200 this year
Isle of Man TT star John McGuinness is among a host of leading racers who have stripped off to appear in a charity calendar to raise funds in memory of Evesham’s Simon Andrews.
The 31-year-old was killed following a crash in the Superstock race at the North West 200 in May this year.
In the wake of the former Honda TT Legends rider’s death, his family have engaged in a number of fundraising activities to benefit causes that were close to Andrews’ heart, donating £5,000 to the Isle of Man Hyperbaric Chamber – a charity providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for rehabilitation – and nearly £4,000 to the air ambulance at Strensham.
The 2015 calendar features famous faces from the biking world baring their chests in support of the popular English competitor and will help to raise money for the Simon Andrews Trust.
Five pounds from each sale will be allocated to the fund, which will be used to support injured riders with their rehabilitation.
Simon’s mother, Dee Andrews, said:
“Before my son died he was beginning to raise awareness of people in the sporting industry in general who were injured and often left to fund their own recovery.
“We are also looking to raise the profile of organ donation; Simon was an organ donor and at his funeral we read a letter from the Organ Donor Association. It stunned the congregation as the letter listed the people that received the organs and told how their lives were before and how they were after the transplants.
“It was his wish and he felt passionately about it. It’s comforting to think that my son can live on through helping others,” she added.
“I’m very proud of him. Simon had an amazing life; he travelled the world, met so many amazing people, he got to fly with the Red Arrows and made some wonderful friends. He lived life to the full and travelled more than a lot of people do in a lifetime and we just want to help support the things we know he was becoming more concerned about. “He would be really proud because we are carrying the memory on and trying to improve things.”
In addition to 21-times TT winner McGuinness, the calendar also includes names from the MCE British Superbike Championship, with Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, Michael Rutter, Tommy Bridewell and James Ellison showing their support for the initiative.
The calendars cost £10 and can be purchased online at http://www.shoeiassured.co.uk/liveunstoppable.php.
A tribute lap held in honour of Andrews at the Isle of Man TT in June saw over 5,000 bikers take part, bearing testament to his popularity.
And plans are in place for another tribute lap to take over from Mad Sunday at next year’s TT, with proceeds going towards the Joey Dunlop Foundation (JDF) and the Hyperbaric Chamber.
Meanwhile the annual JDF dinner will take place at the Empress Hotel in the Isle of Man on Saturday, January 10.
Established 14 years ago in memory of Ulster hero Dunlop, the JDF operates three holiday apartments at Braddan Bridge and it is hoped to add a further two apartments by 2016.
Guests will include Lee Johnston, Peter Hickman and Ivan Lintin plus Manx riders Conor Cummins and Dan Kneen.
![[Image: newletterlogo.jpg]](http://www.ttwebsite.com/gifs/newletterlogo.jpg)