Fisher Foundation benefits from new book celebrating the life of rally legend

The much anticipated book celebrating the life and career of Irish rally champion Bertie Fisher has been launched at a special gala event for rally fans and supporters in the Armagh City Hotel.

Titled ‘King Fisher – the Story of Rally Legend Bertie Fisher’ the book has been written by rally enthusiast and photographer Fergus McAnallen with support from the Fisher Family.

The book is on sale at Fermanagh House, Broadmeadow Place, Enniskillen. It can also be ordered on www.bertiefisher.com

The book chronicles Bertie’s hugely successful rally career as well as his charity work and the impact he had on the business community throughout Ireland and beyond with his family company Fisher Engineering.

All proceeds from the book will be donated to the Fisher Foundation. The Fisher Foundation which was established following the tragic passing of Bertie, Mark and Emma Fisher makes a valuable contribution to two key themes: motorsport safety initiatives and supporting local people volunteering overseas. The Foundation work is firmly based on Bertie and Mark’s love of rallying and safety in the sport and Emma’s commitment to Christian service overseas by supporting those involved in these areas today.

Since 2003 the Foundation has awarded over £300,000 in grant aid. Over 400 volunteers from Fermanagh have volunteered overseas with support from the Foundation towards their travel and other costs. These grants have made a significant contribution to these volunteers and their endeavours, helping change the lives of people and communities in developing countries across the world. The volunteers have carried out invaluable work supporting and implementing a wide range of projects including health projects, physical disability programmes, help for women and children, house building and a range of education initiatives. The outcomes have been truly significant and have also contributed towards the personal development of the volunteers themselves, especially the young volunteers.

Since the Foundation was established funding has also been provided to motor clubs and other relevant organisations to improve safety standards at rally events. Motorsport safety initiatives are at the heart of the Foundations grant making. Safety in rallying was of paramount importance to Bertie, and during the 1980s he became increasingly aware of the need for improvement in safety standards at Irish rallies. To highlight the urgency in addressing the problem, Bertie, already one of the top Irish drivers, withdrew from competitive rallying in 1986 to enable him to assist event organisers in the promotion and implementation of improved safety standards.

Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust which administers the Fisher Foundation said ‘‘Congratulations to all involved in the publication of the ‘King Fisher’ book, celebrating the legacy of Bertie and remembering the lives of Mark and Emma. It is packed with images and archives Berite’s career, results and life outside the sport.”

‘‘The launch of the book with approximately 700 people attending is testament to the love and affection people hold Bertie Fisher and his family in. All of the proceeds from the book will go to The Fisher Foundation, which will enable the Foundation to even more great grants, which is great news.’’ For more information on the Fisher Foundation visit www.fisher-foundation.com