TT star James Hillier has sent a heartwarming message from his Ringwood home in Hampshire to friends and businesses in the Isle of Man.

He is fully aware of the serious effect the cancellation of this year’s TT will have on guest houses and tea-rooms that rely on the revenue.

’I’d probably be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting the news this time last week. We’re all aware of the global impact the coronavirus is having so I knew the massive issues and threat to the island there would have been if the TT was to have taken place, not just during the event but after it as well with the affects on people,’ said James.

’We can go back and have another go in 2021 - if people get struck down with the illness, they won’t be so lucky.’

Meanwhile, the former TT winner is offering up the services of his motorcycle accessory business, yourmotobike.co.uk, to help those whose lives are being affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Hillier, who was scheduled to ride for the OMG Racing squad in their debut TT appearance this year, took to his James Hillier Racing Facebook page to offer his company’s 24- and 48-hour postal service to send care packages to those in need.

It comes after the 35-year old tried sending a supermarket delivery to his isolated grandparents, only to find that the heightened demand meant that the next available delivery slot was 10 days away.

As a result, James is offering to prepare, pack and send groceries and essential goods to those in isolation, as well as doctors, nurses, police officers and other essential workers who may be stretched during these unprecedented times.

As he adapts his yourmotobike.co.uk business to assist in the pandemic, he’s also urging other businesses to do the same and offer services to help out.

’If one person takes me up on it then it’ll be worthwhile. We need to work as a team to get through this - the country has to unite.’