The Rob Vine Fund: TT’s Unsung Medical Heroes

It’s been a mad time of year for our island’s medical services, and while most of us were running on caffeine and TT hype, the real heroes were quietly grafting behind the scenes. One of them? The Rob Vine Fund.

You might not know the name, but you’ve almost definitely seen their work – or their volunteers – especially around TT week. They’re the ones lugging life-saving gear to the most remote spots of the course, ready to respond the moment things go sideways.

‘It’s been a challenging TT this year,’ says Stuart Greaves, one of the fund’s directors. ‘The weather makes things difficult, people get tired, there’s a lot of waiting – but we’re always on hand to provide the best medical assistance possible whenever it’s needed.’

Stuart’s been involved with the fund for more than 32 years. The charity itself was set up in 1985, in memory of TT rider Rob Vine, who tragically lost his life during that year’s races.

‘Since day one, the purpose has been the same,’ says Stuart. ‘We provide medical equipment, pre-hospital and rescue care, and medical training for motorsport events around the island. The only thing that’s changed is how expensive it is.’

And when he says they provide a lot of support, he means it. The Rob Vine Fund kit list reads like something out of a high-budget action film:

• 150 Immediate Care Bags (complete with colour-coded pouches for marshals, paramedics, and doctors)

• 150 Scoop Stretchers and Red Head Rests

• 3 Frontline Phil Hogg Rescue Ambulances

• Medical kit for 2 Rescue Helicopters

• Equipment for 5 Response Cars

• Supplies placed at 150 marshal posts around the course

All that comes to over £300,000 in gear, and around £30,000 a year just to keep everything certified and up to date.

No shock then, that it all relies on public donations.

‘We’re incredibly grateful for the support we get,’ says Stuart. ‘But it’s getting harder. There’s a lot of competition in the charity sector and only so much money to go round.’

The fund runs with just three part-time staff and 20 volunteers. They don’t just focus on motorsport either – during the pandemic, they helped out across the community. They even assist with emergency transport and care when the island’s regular ambulance services are stretched thin.

‘As an island, we don’t have the luxury of calling for backup from the next county. That’s where we step in.’

The Rob Vine Fund is also on the lookout for new recruits. All you need is a first aid qualification and an interest in motorsport. They’ll take care of the rest, including training in rescue ambulance work and even a bit of firefighting.

Looking ahead, Stuart hopes to see AI playing a part in future training.

‘It would be great to use AI to give new doctors and paramedics a realistic idea of what working trackside is like – it’s very different from a hospital.’

After 32 years, Stuart’s clearly still got a massive soft spot for the charity.

‘I’m incredibly passionate about what we do here. The ethos of the Rob Vine Fund is brilliant, and I feel lucky to give something back to the island.’

If you fancy joining the team or want to chuck a few quid their way, head to robvinefund.im or check them out on Facebook. They’re the legends you didn’t realise you already knew.