Organisation celebrated 50th anniversary this year
The Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club is considering the possibility of winding down its operations as a club and a charity.
That's according to a statement issued by the organisation this week.
A number of reasons are being cited as to why this action is being considered, including changing objectives of the club over time, a lack of younger people getting involved in the setup and increasing regulations around volunteering.
A decision on whether to start dissolving the charity will be made at its next meeting in January.
This year, the MGP Supporters Club celebrated its 50th anniversary and was originally formed to support the costs of having rescue helicopters available at the Manx Grand Prix.
The club says, however, this changed in 2021 when government began covering those costs.
Since that time, the organisation adds it's been focusing on helping injured MGP riders and their families as well as helping new MGP riders with entry costs since 2022.
Meanwhile, should the club agree to begin the process if dissolution, it adds it will call a meeting of members to vote on the resolution and, if passed, its remaining funds could be transferred to 'like minded charities.'
You can view the statement sent out by the MGP Supporters Club below:
"At our last meeting and AGM on the 13th November, your committee has discussed that now may be the time to wind up the club and charity.
"As you know the MGP Supporters Club reached a significant milestone and celebrated its 50th anniversary this year which is a phenomenal achievement!
"The original reason for the creation of the club was to raise funds to support the costs of the MGP rescue helicopters, which the club has done right up to 2021 when the decision was made to stop supporting, as all the costs were now paid for by the Isle of Man Government.
"We have carried on since then and continued to help injured MGP riders and their families with financial support as well as donations for essential medical equipment. We have also supported every MGP rider, since 2022, with a payment to help them with their entry fee costs.
"Since the main object of the club has changed, your committee now feel that the focus has shifted both with themselves and with some supporters and this is why we now question the future of the charity.
"As with many voluntary organisations the majority of the work is done by a few and we are all getting older ! It seems that this issue is also true with many other motorcycle related organisations having the same problems i.e. not enough younger members coming forward to take on some of the responsibilities. The other issue faced is, because we are a charity we have to comply with ever increasing regulations and the days of just volunteering to help out are long gone. As a committee member you now have a legal obligation as a trustee to comply with the regulations and this is obviously not for everyone to take on.
"We have agreed to make our decision at our next committee meeting in January and unless we are persuaded otherwise, the likely decision will be to start the process of dissolving the charity.
"If this happens, then our constitution states that we will call a meeting of members to vote on the resolution and if passed then our remaining funds can be transferred to 'like minded charities' and the Manx Grand Prix Benevolent Fund where the support for MGP injured riders will continue.
"This email has been sent to every member where we have an email address on file.
"Could I finish with an apology if this has come as a shock to you and despite whatever decision is made, could I thank you so much for all your support!"
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