Video: Subway staff raise £1,000 for injured TT rider

A two-day fundraising drive at five local Subway stores has raised an incredible £1,000 for injured motorcycle racer Jamie Hamilton.
Sharon Cowan (seated) gets ready to have her head shaved by Subway colleague Joleen Carlisle (left) and store manager Suzan Campbell. INNT 33-510CONSharon Cowan (seated) gets ready to have her head shaved by Subway colleague Joleen Carlisle (left) and store manager Suzan Campbell. INNT 33-510CON
Sharon Cowan (seated) gets ready to have her head shaved by Subway colleague Joleen Carlisle (left) and store manager Suzan Campbell. INNT 33-510CON

The Ballyclare rider sustained serious injuries after crashing at high speed during this year’s Isle of Man TT event and now faces a lengthy period of recovery.

His local Subway store on Templepatrick Road organised pyjama day fundraising events last Friday and Saturday, and staff at four other local outlets also got behind the venture.

As part of the fundraiser, selfless Sharon Cowan, who works at the Templepatrick Road store, allowed her hair to be shaved off in exchange for donations to Jamie’s recovery appeal.

Sharon Cowan (seated) gets ready to have her head shaved by Subway colleague Joleen Carlisle (left) and store manager Suzan Campbell. INNT 33-510CONSharon Cowan (seated) gets ready to have her head shaved by Subway colleague Joleen Carlisle (left) and store manager Suzan Campbell. INNT 33-510CON
Sharon Cowan (seated) gets ready to have her head shaved by Subway colleague Joleen Carlisle (left) and store manager Suzan Campbell. INNT 33-510CON

Subway franchise owner, Newtownabbey man Bryan Simmons, was delighted with the response to the fundraising push.

“I am delighted with the efforts of the staff in our Subway stores in Newtownabbey and very pleased that we managed to raise £1,000. Any other donations will be added to this,” he said.

“Fair play to Sharon for allowing her hair to be shaved off. I am also really chuffed for everyone that Jamie himself posted on Facebook that it put a smile on his face to see how much people care.

“We all hope that Jamie makes a full and speedy recovery.”

Ballyclare motorbike racer Jamie Hamilton.Ballyclare motorbike racer Jamie Hamilton.
Ballyclare motorbike racer Jamie Hamilton.

The idea for the fundraising event at Bryan’s stores was put forward by Templepatrick Road Subway manager Suzan Campbell, who thanked customers for their support.

“We made the £1,000 which is fantastic. I would just like to thank everyone for their generous donations. The support has been amazing,” she said.

“When we first thought about this I thought if we got £500 that would be good, so to get £1,000 is absolutely incredible. People have just been so generous.”

Thanking Bryan, Suzan, Sharon and their colleagues for their support, Jamie posted on his Facebook page: “Means so much the extents people are going to till help me out. Had a tough week but it puts a smile on my face to see how much people care.”