Dave Ratcliffe presents the cheque to Peter Oates
(Mark Falconer)

The Old Market Inn on Chapel Row in Douglas may be the smallest pub in the Isle of Man, but it is one with the biggest heart when it comes to supporting the Southern 100 Supporters Club.

Jayne, Dave, Hannah and Colin and the patrons of the ‘Market’ commenced supporting the Southern 100 Supporters fund in 2003, raising £290.00.

By 2005 they had topped the £1,000.00 and the total raised up to October 2019 stands at a magnificent £18,100.00!

Dave was enthusiastic for 2020 then, in mid-March the Island, like the adjacent islands were closed down due to the Covid 19/Corona virus pandemic.

However, come June life on the Island started to return to some sort of normality with public houses being allowed to re-open and the Old Market Team re-ignited their fund-raising efforts adding a specially designed tee-shirt to raise funds.

Despite the lack of ‘overseas’ visitors with the borders still closed, the marvel of mail order ensured the ‘sold out’ notice being posted on the pubs Social Media page very quickly. Add in the other usual fundraiser's and loose change donations and once again the Old Market ‘Regulars and Fans’ raised the magnificent sum of £1.000.00 for the Southern 100 Supporters Club.

At a social gathering, Dave Ratcliffe handed over a cheque to Southern 100 Club Treasurer Peter Oates.

Peter thanked Dave and their customers for the excellent support over the last year, especially over the last six months and said the club were deeply indebted to all involved in the fund raising. He also thanked them for their hospitality on the evening and gave a special mention to Jayne Devereau and Tricia Clague who kindly supplied the buffet which was very well received!

During the evening, Mine Host, Dave also presented a cheque for £500.00 to Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation.