Benoy International 24-Hour Charity Dinghy Race this weekend

by HHYC Media on 9 Oct 2010 Hebe Haven Yacht Club - Benoy International 24-Hour Charity Dinghy Race, 9-10 October 2010

The eighth running of the Hebe Haven Yacht Club’s annual 24 Hour Charity Dinghy Race takes place this weekend 9/10 October, continuing our support of children’s charities in Hong Kong.

All funds raised will go to the nominated charities Children's Cancer Foundation, Enlighten for Epilepsy, IDEAL and TREATS.

We are delighted to have Benoy Architects and Designers as our title sponsor for the event this year. In addition, other key support is being provided by HRA Recruitment, Leighton Contractor (Asia) Ltd., AON Hong Kong Ltd., CLP Holdings Limited and Simpson Marine Limited.

The race, which has attracted a strong 43-team entry is the only 24-hour Charity Endurance Dinghy Race in Asia. Teams will race for 24 hours, starting at 1400 hrs on 09 October, with 'pit stops' to change crews at intervals throughout the race. The one exception is that Paul Rechten, an experienced sailor from Benoy will be attempting to complete the whole 24-hour race on his own, seeking through the exposure to raise extra money for the charities.

This will be the fourth year Operation Breakthrough will compete in the event. Breakthrough is a unique grass roots charity which gives young offenders a chance to get their lives back on the right track. Sailing is one of the many sports Breakthrough gets involved in, and the 24HR Race provides a great opportunity for their members to bond together as a team and mix with youths from other walks of life. Mr. Roderick Colson, who runs the sailing section of Breakthrough said: 'The 24HR Charity Race is one of the highlights of our year, even if I do have to sleep on the floor!' The Breakthrough Team is delighted and excited about this year’s event.

Sailed in the sheltered waters immediately in front of the Hebe Haven Yacht Club, the 24HR Charity Race offers a challenging event sailed around a short course (approximately one nautical mile) that keeps the racing within sight of the Club and caters for both adults and children who just wish to 'sail for charity', as well as those who want to enjoy a more competitive weekend on the water.

In addition to the action on the water, the 24HR Village will feature music, food and merchandise stalls, children's entertainment and the Children’s Raft Race. All of which contributes to creating a carnival atmosphere around the Club for the weekend. The event is open to the public on both days and everyone is welcome.

Over the years the event has gone from strength to strength, and in 2009 it raised a pleasing HK$1m for the charities. Since its inception it has raised over HK$ 6.5m.