2 May, 2007

NORTHLINK Ferries are handing out £50,000 in free travel and discounted fares to sponsor charities, events, athletes and artists in Shetland and Orkney over the next six months.

The ferry operator has donated more than £400,000 in sponsorship to local people since 2002.

Marketing manager Elaine Tulloch said: "Our sponsorship programme has become immensely popular and, once again, we were inundated with sponsorship applications for this latest tranche of travel.

"We hope that our sponsorship will go some way towards helping enrich the islands' social, cultural and sporting life.

"We very much enjoy following the progress and success of the young sports stars and musicians from the isles, some of whom we have supported for more than three years now."

Shetlanders to benefit from the travel sponsorship scheme in Shetland include brother and sister James and Martha Morton from Hillswick. James is a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and Martha plays with the National Children's Orchestra.

Sporting groups being sponsored include cycling team 'Shetland Wheelers', fishing, swimming and riding clubs plus the isles dinghy association and baton twirlers.

The Shetland Aid Trust, which has been supported by NorthLink for the last four years, will receive free travel for its annual humanitarian mission to Albania.

NorthLink will also be donating more than 20 return travel vouchers to several groups as fundraising prizes, such as Shetland's Stepping Stones Club.

Stanley Manson and his daughter Suzanne's charity mission to climb the Great Wall of China, in aid of the Fisherman's Mission, will be fully supported.

Visitors attending Shetland and Orkney events are also being sponsored, including contestants in the Scottish Mirror Dinghy Championships, being hosted by Shetland Sailing Centre, and European Albacore Championships being held by Unst Boating Club.

The Alloa Pipe band will be assisted with their visit to Scalloway gala, as will artists from around the globe attending both Orkney and Shetland folk festivals.