HEAVEN CAN WAIT CHARITY SAILING REGATTA
HCW 2019 DATES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED – FEBRUARY 23-24 WITH THE
CHARITY DINNER TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 22ND
WHAT IS THE HEAVEN CAN WAIT CHARITY SAILING REGATTA?
Each year the Royal Motor Yacht Club – Toronto, hosts the Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta, in support of the Hunter branch of the NSW Cancer Council who provide domestic support services for both terminal and recovering cancer patients.
The Heaven Can Wait Charity Regatta was conceived and inaugurated by Lake Macquarie resident, keen sailor and cancer survivor Shaun Lewicki as a major annual sailing event on the lake, to promote sailing, the Lake Macquarie/Newcastle/Hunter region – and to raise funds for cancer research. Research has significantly improved the recovery rates of cancer patients, and therefore, so has the need to focus on helping those patients through their recovery. The Domestic Support Services Program run by the Hunter Branch of the NSW Cancer Council has assisted some 35 patients over the past 12 months and as recovery rates improve even further, so will need for this type of support. A small amount of the funds raised also goes to Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue, who provide on water rescue support during the regatta.
Entry fees paid by the participants go to the charity. In addition to the entry fees, participating boats are expected to participate in a ‘virtual’ fund raising race in support of the charities. In 2016, the amount raised was $38,000.
The regatta covers the length and breadth of beautiful Lake Macquarie and will now be 5 races run in parallel – a One Lap Dash, a Short One Lap Dash for Off The Beach boats with a Yardstick rating less than 114 and Trailer Sailers (non sport boats), a Dinghy Dash for Off The Beach boats with a Yardstick rating of 114 or greater, a 12 Hour Race and a 24 Hour race. Except for the Short One Lap Dash and the Dinghy Dash, participants can choose to enter any or all of the races. The regatta will celebrate its 11th year in 2017 and will once again be a part of a much larger aquatic event on Lake Macquarie – Lakefest. You can find out more about Lakefest by going to http://www.lakefest.com.au
