Pier restoration given £9k 'Christmas present'

A £9,696 donation to a volunteer-led project to restore a Victorian iron pier has come as a "wonderful Christmas present" for the project.

The anonymous gift followed publicity surrounding fundraising efforts on behalf of the Queen's Pier Restoration Trust by 96-year-old Vincent Watkins.

Mr Watkins raised £450 by walking to each of the island's lighthouses and harbours and presented the money to the trust on Wednesday.

The trust said that had prompted a flurry of additional donations to the project, including the "truly magnificent" sizeable gift, in honour of his "inspirational" efforts.

Project manager Dennis Curphey said the large donation, which was made after Mr Watkins spoke to Manx Radio when handing over the money he had raised, was "absolutely tremendous".

"Without this money coming in we can't go on," he said.

The Queen's Pier, which was named in honour of Queen Victoria, was officially opened in 1886.

While it had been closed in the 1990s for safety reasons, restoration work is underway by a local group of volunteers who rely on donations to continue its renovation.

The 19th Century structure is the sixth longest iron pier in Britain at 0.4 miles (0.6km), and features 60 bays.

Mr Curphey said that each bay currently cost about £80,000 to restore, with eight completed so far.

He said there was normally a "steady trickle" of donations coming in, and a "spike" such as this one usually coincided with some added publicity.

While the donation was made anonymously, he said the trust believed the amount of £9,696 appropriately reflected Mr Watkins' age.

Thanking him for his "superb efforts", he said the 96-year-old had been "supported throughout by his two very proud daughters".

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]