Paralysed sidecar racer's team appeal for support to continue post-TT

Maria Costello will need support 'six months down the line when TT vibe is gone'

A fundraiser for paralysed sidecar racer Maria Costello MBE has exceeded all expectations and has left her 'overwhelmed'.

That's from her team who have told Manx Radio it evidences the sense of community in the biking world.

The women's motorsport legend was marking 30 years of racing around the Snaefell Mountain Course this year.

However Maria, and her passenger Shaun Parker, were involved in what’s been described as a ‘horrific accident’ at Brandish during TT qualifying on 26 May.

Their machine hit a hare during the second lap of the first sidecar qualifying session leading to it being red flagged.

Maria, and Shaun, were taken to Noble's Hospital before being transferred to the UK for medical treatment.

She is currently paralysed from T5/T6 down after breaking her back.

She also suffered a broken arm, multiple broken ribs, a grade-four large liver laceration, broken nose and eye socket, lacerations between her eyes and a broken sternum.

“It’s going to be a long road to recovery for her. The £200,000 goal is unfortunately just the start. There’s going to be a lot more needed in the future so hopefully the donations don’t stop.”

- Dale Extance (Mechanic)

£200,000 

Efforts to raise £200,000 to help with her recovery started on Monday (1 June).

So far more than £178,000 has been donated. 

But her team are imploring for the support to continue once TT is over describing the long road to recovery ahead of her.

Manx Radio visited The Paddock to catch up with Maria's sportbike mechanic Dale Extance who has returned to the Island after several days at her bedside at the Walton Centre in Liverpool.

He says the accident has also had a huge impact on everyone in the team:

“She was very overwhelmed (by the fundraiser), but she was also very happy. She definitely had a bit of a smile on her face.”

- Dale Extance (Mechanic)

Manx Radio also spoke to Maria's manager Alan Gardner - you can find out more HERE.

'One step at a time'

Meanwhile passenger Shaun Parker has shared an update on his social media page from his hospital bed in Aintree.

He says he's taking every day one step at a time:

A GoFundMe page has also been started for Shaun with a £12,000 target. 

You can find the fundraiser for Maria HERE and Shaun HERE.

Newscast

You can listen to the full interview with Dale in this episode of Newscast: