BSB champion Kyle Ryde leads extraordinary fundraising push for injured TT racer Maria Costello
Maria Costello is recovering from severe spinal and internal injuries sustained in a TT qualifying crash, with BSB star Kyle Ryde now helping lead a growing fundraising appeal.
British Superbike champion Kyle Ryde is spearheading a fundraising effort to support the injured Isle of Man TT racer Maria Costello, with a ride to the Knockhill British Superbike round on a dinky Honda Monkey bike.
The initiative comes in the wake of confirmation that Costello sustained severe spinal and internal injuries during sidecar qualifying at this year’s TT, with a GoFundMe campaign now detailing a catalogue of trauma that includes paralysis from the T5/T6 vertebrae down, multiple fractures and a Grade 4 liver laceration.
Costello, one of the most recognisable names in British road racing and a former TT podium finisher, was initially treated on the Isle of Man before being transferred to a specialist care unit in Liverpool. Her condition was described as “serious but stable” in the immediate aftermath of the incident, but the emerging picture points to a long and complex recovery.
The fundraiser, which has now gathered widespread support across the racing community, outlines the scale of the challenge ahead. Alongside the spinal injury, Costello has also suffered a broken back, broken arm, multiple rib fractures, a broken sternum, facial injuries and fractures to both her nose and eye socket.
It is understood the campaign has been launched to support not only her immediate medical needs, but also the significant long-term adjustments likely required for day-to-day life, including rehabilitation, home modifications and specialist mobility equipment.
Ryde’s involvement has helped amplify the appeal beyond the TT paddock, with riders and teams from across the roads and circuit racing scenes sharing the fundraiser as donations continue to climb. At the time of writing, the fundraiser is sitting at over £180,000 of the £225,000 target.
Costello, a veteran of the Mountain Course for more than three decades, was marking another year of TT competition when the crash occurred during sidecar qualifying at Brandish.
While investigations and safety discussions continue around this year’s running of the event, attention within the paddock has shifted to support for one of its most famous names as she begins what is expected to be a lengthy recovery process.
You can donate to the fundraiser on the official webpage.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
