Opportunity to help Sir James Hardy Sunshine Home Regatta

by Di Pearson on 4 Nov 2003 The Sir James Hardy Sunshine Home Regatta is happening on Friday November 28, at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

Although this ongoing annual event was successful last year, the number of corporate sponsors was down on previous years, and we are hopeful that there may be some corporate sponsors out there who would like an afternoon’s race on one of Sydney’s prominent yachts, to help raise the much needed money to make this event successful.

As Sunshine Home’s Lynda Stoner points out, ‘the boys pictured are representative of the great young residents here who desperately need funding to move into the wider community. We need funds to provide everything from bottle openers to white goods and all the necessary home goods in between, and need funding to provide homes for them.

The difference in residents who used to live here in this institution and then moved out into the wider community over the past decade is profound. We have testimonials from parents and the residents themselves. Their confidence and self worth is elevated and their greater independence means they can use public transport, hold down jobs and of-course have increased privacy and choices. The fact that they have their own front door key makes a huge physiological difference.’

‘We are thrilled at the support we have had to date, particularly from the CYCA and its members. Richard Perini has generously come aboard again as sponsor, and we have had continued support from many others like David Kellett, Hans Sommer, Carl Scriber, John Messenger, Syd Fischer and Sean Langman, and are looking forward to seeing them on the start line again this year. Some of our sponsors have been with us since the inception of this fundraiser too, in particular the Deerstalkers and the Australian Jockey Club. Without these people, the regatta would not be the success it is,’ she added.

There are three affordable corporate sponsorship packages available for this fun non-spinnaker race on the harbour, a cocktail party, live music, raffles and prize giving for all involved, will take place after the race.

Supported by the CYCA, and included in their official sailing calendar, the event will raise necessary funds to help the 140 people between the ages of 21 and 92, who are in residence at Sunshine Home.

Sir James, who brings his beautiful timber yacht Nerida out for the event each year, is a Director of Sunshine, having a special interest, since his son Richard moved in as a resident in 1974.

‘My boy, and those like him who live at Sunshine, are for the most part capable of so much more than previously thought. If given the support, education and direction, which only money can buy, miracles happen’, he said appealing to yacht owners and companies to participate in this cause so close to his heart.

Sunshine Home was established in 1923 and provides whole of life care for adults and adolescents who have an intellectual disability. Situated at Gore Hill, Sunshine does receive Government funding, but it is not enough on a continuing basis to allow the liberation of residents out of the institution and into ordinary homes and units of their own in the community.

To enter your company or boat for this great event, or for further information, please contact Lynda Stoner at Sunshine on (02) 9439 2011, or email: lynda@sunshinehome.net.au or Di Pearson on phone/fax (02) 9388 7182 or email: nautical3@bigpond.com.au