2025 End or Year Report...

Wed, 31 Dec 2025

The Joey Dunlop Foundation is pleased to say that 2025 has been another very successful and busy year for the charity. We are a small committee consisting of three on-island trustees, our UK Trustee, Barry Steels, and our Patron, Linda Dunlop. All who work hard all year to raise funds and ensure that the JDF continues with its operations at Braddan Bridge House. We wish to thank all of our loyal supporters and everyone who has purchased items from our popup stall at all the events Barry attended, also those who purchased items from the website shop page and to those who have sent donations, of which there were so many throughout 2025!

Another person that deserves recognition is our General Manager at Braddan Bridge House, Suzanne Tasker. Suzanne is no stranger to the JDF, many may recall that Suzanne was the charity’s secretary and ardent fundraiser for many years. Suzanne devoted a huge amount of time and effort ensuring the charity achieved its goal, to provide suitable, accessible self-catering accommodation for the disabled and their family and friends. Suzanne took on the role at the start of the Year and with the guidance of Gilly, (past General Manager for several years) got to grips with the process of dealing with the many enquiries, bookings, day to day running of the apartments. Suzanne ensured that all guests who stayed at Braddan Bridge House enjoyed their holiday, always making sure they were comfortable and on-hand to assist them should they require anything. I’m pleased to say that Suzanne has been kept busy all year round as we have regular bookings throughout the winter months, offering up the facilities to local care companies/organisations that have persons with specialist requirements and in need of short term accessible accommodation.

Gilly Keown has looked after the charities accounts for another year, ensuring that everything is prepared for the audits, something that has to be completed properly and to strict schedules. Many people may not realise the importance of this, trustees of other registered charities will know and appreciate the time that has to be devoted to his role! John Watterson has been invaluable with his role as Promoter for the annual Tombola licence, review of the necessary insurance policies for both the fundraising side of the charity and the company side of things. John also deals with the annual audits as well as any legal obligations set by the Charities Administration Team, now under the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Fundraising – Barry Steels is again the main person who has overseen the numerous fundraising events throughout 2025. Barry is a regular at the various UK shows (Mortons Group who permit trade space at their biking events) as well as Scarborough Road Races, NW200 (pitch at Church Bend), Southern 100, Classic Bike Festival Ireland, MGP / Classic TT

2025 was obviously a significant year. The Dunlop family, in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, honoured the memory of Joey Dunlop with an amazing celebration event at Ballymoney on the 24th May. Despite the wet weather, thousands of fans turned out to see the many Joey Dunlop race machines being paraded.

There was the ‘Lap for Joey’ on the 2nd July as well as the ‘Joey Dunlop Ride Out’ from Joey’s Bar to the Classic Bike Festival Ireland on the 3rd August.

The Classic TT celebrated Joey’s Formula 1 TT win in 2000. The Dunlop family sent items of Joey’s from those historic three race wins to help create an amazing exhibition at the TT Grandstand.

Barry was assisted on the stall by many but we have to applaud Barry for the vast number of miles travelled and hours spent selling the charity’s tombola tickets and merchandise. TT25 was particularly busy for Barry, he did catch a chill from the Ballymoney event but had to soldier on to catch a connecting ferry and spend long hours on the stall whilst kipping in the van. Two very long weeks but the amount of support shown by thousands of fans/supporters got him through it. Well done Barry !

Braddan Bridge House – The five apartments at Braddan Bridge House require much work on maintenance, modifications and improvements. This year saw a significant amount of work carried out.

Towards the end of 2024 the JDF discovered a problem with water ingress at Apartment1. It did take some time to fully understand the cause but subsequent modifications to the balcony and doorway flooring fixed the issue however the water had seeped all the way through the apartment requiring renewal of the wet room flooring as well as a large section of the living room floor. Big thanks to Swales Flooring who have always supported the JDF.

The main signage at the front of the building was replaced as the wood had rotted away. Bryan from Sign & Design completed the works with the new signage looking amazing.

The decking at the rear of the building was also in need of replacing as the wood had rotted. The Manx Lottery Trust funded the replacement composite decking. Big thanks to Josh Cowley for installing the new structure. The safety railings along the ramped and elevated areas were replaced with made to measure galvanised railings. Iron Craft made sure that they replicated the railings which are at the front of the building, another excellent job that will last a lifetime.

Thanks to the following that have again offered up support throughout 2025; Braddan Commissioners, OTIS, Top Coat, JF Electrical, MC Locksmiths, SURE IOM, MEMS, Laxey Laundry, FC Housekeeping, Steam Packet Holidays, Manx Gas, Prospero, A&J Groundworks.

Kevin Quirk  - It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Kevin Quirk in May 2025. Kevin was one of the original founders of the Joey Dunlop Foundation and he devoted many years to ensuring that the charity succeeded with its aim. Kevin will be remembered fondly by many who knew him through his fundraising and running of the apartments.

Malc Wheeler – Malc was a supporter of the JDF for so many years and a true friend. Malc did ensure JDF secured free entry to all the Morton’s events and he would continue to show his support long after his retirement. He’d always purchase the latest merchandise and wear it with pride. Sorely missed by so many from the motorcycling fraternity and everyone at the JDF.

Darren Cossey – Darren had stayed at Braddan Bridge House when it first opened in 2010 but a big supporter of the charity well before that. Darren would purchase tombola tickets every year and in January he won the Honda Grom (RC30 colours) but tragically passed just prior to collecting it. Darren’s partner Julie, collected the bike from Barry in February. Members of Darren’s family and Julie have continued to fundraise or JDF in his memory. We thank them all for their support.

As mentioned at the start of this report, the Joey Dunlop Foundation has been supported by so many groups, organisations, companies and fans. Unable to list everyone here but please know the Foundation thank you all for the love, support and generosity.

Wishing everyone all the very best for 2026.