Wightlink's sponsored Islanders share success stories in Newport

More than 100 Isle of Wight residents sponsored by Wightlink gathered in Newport for coffee and cake, sharing their achievements with ferry company staff.

These individuals receive assisted travel to compete, perform, or make connections on the mainland. Their stories are featured on the Wightlink in the Community Facebook page.

Cyclists, rowers, footballers, athletes, sailors, skateboarders, musicians, and singers filled Quay Arts for the annual event.

Among them was discus thrower Nick Percy, who is set to represent Great Britain at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Sponsored for 14 years, Nick has competed at the Commonwealth Games and world championships, but this will be his first Olympics. He 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 also benefit from Wightlink’s support.

The Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra frequently hosts mainland performers thanks to the ferry company’s sponsorship.

Chairman Tim Isard said: “Wightlink’s sponsorship enables us to bring across prestigious soloists to delight our audiences and guest players for the Orchestra.”

Wightlink also partners with conservation and environmental organisations.

In collaboration with the Blue Marine Foundation, Wightlink hosts oyster nurseries at its Lymington port to replenish local stocks.

The company also supports the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust with cross-Solent travel and partners with marine scientists from the University of Portsmouth for outreach activities, including workshops on board ferries and interactive sessions for Isle of Wight primary school children.

Additionally, Wightlink assists in transporting young white-tailed eagles for release on the Isle of Wight, a project by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation.

Steve Egerton-Read from Forestry England said: “Our project to reintroduce white-tailed eagles is going well with 29 birds released so far, but it’s a long journey from Scotland. It’s good to have Wightlink’s support to cross the Solent when they’re almost at their new home.”

Event organizers 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.

Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield explained: “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 community sponsorship applications in 2025 opens on Tuesday, 1 October 2024.