A total of eight awards were handed to recipients who had gone above and beyond the call of duty supporting the Hogg Motorsport Association, which offers medical back-up at motorsport events around the island from rallies and stock car racing to the TT and Manx Grand Prix.

HMA secretary and co-ordinator Dr David Stevens said:

"The awards are a small thank-you to everyone who, in any way in 2011, has helped Hogg Motorsport, Motorsport Medical Services or The Rob Vine Fund. All the awards are voted for by the crew member of Hogg Motorsport,"

The first award – the National award – for a UK-based supporter went to paramedic Jean Cragg and was collected on her behalf by island-based paramedic Kevin Airey.

"Jean Cragg is a UK-based paramedic who, for many years, has covered the whole of TT, MGP and S100 events usually in one of the rescue helicopters," Dr Stevens said.

Sam Bowker, whose wife is a member of the Hogg crew, took the local award. Sam has acted as the victim in training exercises and is also a TT course chief sector marshal. He also helps with work on the Phil Hogg ambulances and on the course medical equipment.

Sams' wife Linda Bowker-Howe took the female crew award.

"In 2011 Linda passed her Motor Sport Association and became a full MSA race and rally rescue crew member. She covers more than her fair share of duties and is passionate about her involvement," Dr Stevens said.

Long-standing crew member Richard Bridson received the male crew award for the second time


Dr Stevens said: "Although the rule has always been only one award in a lifetime, Richards' onerous task of making sure there are sufficient crew for all the duties and his training role as Hogg Crew Leader, shows a commitment to Hogg well above what could be expected."

Former travelling marshal Keith Trubshaw had previously missed out on an award by retiring before the travelling marshals' award was introduced. He was honoured with the accolade this year, however, to recognise his continuing work for the TT Marshals' Association.

Aviation liaison officer for the TT, MGP and Southern 100 Kit Pemberton received the special award as a great friend and supporter of the Hogg crew as well as being the new fourth director of the Rob Vine Fund.

In 2011 two new awards were introduced: the donations award and the fund raising award.

The donations award went to the Steam Packet and was collected by Paul Turton. The award recognised the crews' two-week charitable collections on board the boats during the TT fortnight and 10 of the crew made it to the awards. The Steam Packet collections were started in the 1990s by the late Tommy Harrison and have continued ever since.

Roadracingsupporters.com – the inspiration behind the charity road racing calendar and the St Ninians' Church TT photographic exhibition – scooped the fund raising award. The money they raise is split between three Isle of Man helicopter funds: the Rob Vine Helicopter Fund, the Southern 100 Helicopter Fund and the MGP Helicopter Fund.

Kevin Collier, Andy Findlay and Stuart Baker came over from the UK to present the Rob Vine Helicopter Fund with a cheque for £1,200, one third of their fundraising, and were entirely taken by surprise to receive their fund raising award.

The awards have been running for 12 years to recognise the efforts of unpaid supporters. The event took place on Friday at the Ascot Hotel in Douglas.


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