Joint winners of the 2015 PokerStars Spirit of the TT were presented with their awards on Senior race day.
Eight-year-old fundraiser Cici Reed and 91-year-old Harold Leece were chosen by the panel of judges for the award. They are the award’s oldest and youngest winners in its six-year history.
The award is given to the person or, in this case persons, who best represent the ethos and values of the TT including decency, honesty, generosity, courage, compassion, integrity, respect, team work and commitment to the development of the races.
Cici Reed began growing and selling sunflowers to add a little sunshine to travelling marshal Paul Hunt’s recovery. ‘Big H’, as he is known, is now back home in Braddan having spent almost 11 months in the spinal unit at Southport General Hospital receiving treatment after he came off his TM bike while inspecting the course during qualifying for the 2014 TT.
She has also run online auctions to fundraise for Paul, as well as the TT Riders’ Association, the Rescue Helicopter Fund and IoM TT Marshals Association. Donations are welcome through her facebook page ‘Cici Reed Fundraising Superstar’.
Harold Leece’s hospitality is well known worldwide. He has been welcoming visitors to his Cronk Breck Farm in Greeba for more than 66 years. He opens up a field for parking and allows spectators to wander across his fields to get the best vantage points free of charge, including in his garden. He provides toilets and loves meeting and greeting TT fans from all over the world.
It is estimated that more than 100,000 fans have experienced his hospitality over the years.
Rebecca McAdam, head of PR, live events for PokerStars commented: ‘I’m delighted that this award is able to recognise two members of the local community who have contributed so much to the TT. The fact that there is more than 80 years age difference between them epitomises the fact that the TT touches everyone young and old in the island.’
David Cretney, Isle of Man Government’s political member with responsibility for Tourism and Motorsport added: ‘Cici is a very determined young lady and she has made great efforts to support and fundraise for good causes. I hope that this award will bring her efforts to the attention of a wider online audience and that it helps her to continue to support worthwhile causes. She is a great example to the young people of the Isle of Man.’
He continued: ‘I’m also pleased for Harold as his welcoming attitude typifies the Manx spirit of hospitality that is particularly evident during the TT.’
The presentation, which took place on the podium in front of the TT Grandstand, actually caused a problem for Harold Leece as his farm is situated on the course seven miles from the start, so clerk of the course Gary Thompson arranged for a course car to drop Harold back to his farm to continue his unbroken record of offering hospitality at every TT stretching back to 1949.