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Joint winners for 2015 PokerStars Spirit of the TT

Monday 15 June 2015
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Pictured are Harold Leece, Cici Reed and her parents with Rebecca McAdam, Director Live Events PokerStars. Credit Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press Intl.

- 8 year old fundraiser Cici Reed and 91 year old Harold Leece share 2015 award

Douglas, Isle of Man.  Joint winners have been chosen for the 2015 PokerStars Spirit of the TT.  Eight year old fundraiser Cici Reed and ninety-one year old Harold Leece were chosen by the panel of judges for the 2015 PokerStars Spirit of the TT. Harold and Cici are the award’s oldest and youngest winners in its 6 year history.

The award is given to the person or in this case persons who best represent the ethos and values of the TT Races including decency, honesty, generosity, courage, compassion, integrity, respect, teamwork 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. Paul Hunt is currently receiving treatment in Liverpool after he came off his bike while inspecting the course during TT qualifying in 2014.  She has also run on-line auctions to fundraise for ‘Big H’ as well as the TTRA, the Helicopter fund and the IOM TT Marshals Association.  Donations are welcome through her facebook page ‘Cici Reed Fundraising Superstar.’

Harold Leece’s hospitality is well known worldwide. The 91-year-old has been welcoming visitors to his Cronk Breck Farm in Greeba for over 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 over 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 over 80 years age difference between them epitomises the fact that the TT touches everyone young and old on the Isle of Man.”

David Cretney, Isle of Man Government Political Member with responsibility for Tourism and Motorsport said:

"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 on-line audience worldwide and that this 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 of the award, which took place on the podium earlier today ahead of this year’s PokerStars Senior TT, actually caused a problem for Harold Leece as his farm is situated on the course approximately seven miles from the start but Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson was able to step in and arrange 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.

Representatives from the Isle of Man Government's Motorsport team including David Cretney, the Isle of Man Government representative with responsibility for Motorsport and Tourism, TT rider liaison officers Richard Quayle and John Barton, ACU Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson and PokerStars Head of Corporate Communications Eric Hollreiser judged the award. Nominations were invited from members of the public and from officials associated with the TT.

Previous winners have included Paul Owen, Conor Cummins, the Birchall Brothers, TT Marshal Eric Alexander and TTRA secretary Frances Thorp.

Pictured are Harold Leece, Cici Reed and her parents with Rebecca McAdam, Director Live Events PokerStars.

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