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NorthLink Ferries is to contribute £20,000 towards the travel costs of staging the NatWest Island Games XI, Shetland 2005. 

The sponsorship contribution is being made available to Shetland Islands Games 2005 Ltd by way of a discount against their ferry bookings.  The Games begin on Saturday 9 July and over half of the event’s 2,000 competitors are already booked to travel to Shetland on NorthLink’s vessels.

NorthLink has altered its sailing schedules to ensure that as many people as possible can participate in the opening and closing ceremonies.  Most of the competitors will travel on 8 July, on the specially scheduled 1000 and 2345 sailings from Aberdeen, returning from Lerwick on 16 July.

Alongside NorthLink’s sponsorship contribution to Shetland Islands Games 2005 Ltd - which will be used to help transport the many vehicles, officials and support personnel involved in the organisation of the Games - NorthLink is also directly supporting the travel of the 147-strong party representing neighbouring Orkney, who will make the short sail north on the special day-time schedule.

Bill Davidson, NorthLink’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to offer our support to the Games and we look forward to welcoming so many of the competitors and their supporters onboard.”

Entrants from 24 islands will compete in 15 different sporting events during the week-long event.

John Scott, chairman of Shetland Islands Games 2005 Ltd, welcomed the support of NorthLink. He said: “Transport plays a large part in bringing together everyone involved in the NatWest Island Games and we are extremely grateful to NorthLink for their valuable sponsorship contribution.”

Passengers planning to attend the Games who have not yet made a reservation with NorthLink are advised to book now to avoid disappointment. Space on many of the sailings is now limited and vehicle accommodation is already fully booked on the 1000 sailing to and from Lerwick on 8 and 16 July.