Volunteers sought as HHYC gears up for colourful 24-hour charity dinghy race – for 20th time

21 September 2023 rmedcalf CHARITY, COMMUNITY, SPORTS 0

Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Sai Kung, will host its 24Hour Charity Dinghy Race on 14 and 15 October for the 20th time. The Club is now the sole venue for Sai Kung’s biggest human charity event as well as the largest animal welfare show, after the organisers of the Concert for the Animals agreed with the Club to stage the fourth Concert there (it will be on 24 November, but that’s another story).

For the dinghy race the Club is calling on volunteers to come forward as well as vendors to man booths in the Race Village. There are myriad jobs for volunteers, recording laps by the sailors, reporting results, acting as dock marshals, manning safety boats, raising money selling books, and many more. People can set up booths in the Race Village offering food and drink, boat supplies, handbags, crafts and operating children’s games and charity stalls. Live entertainment including Bollywood dance acts, Jimmy Two Times with Sally G and the HK Piloxing Masters live Sunday morning. The biggest attraction over the weekend will be The Red Stripes, playing Saturday evening.

Celebrating the 20^th Year the Club is bringing back the One Tonne Cup! A fun race with competitors drinking beer and paddeling their boat around a short course, catch they must weigh at least 100kg in combination.

Sponsors over the years have made the event a success this year they welcome back St James Place, Knight Frank and Honour Lane Shipping as major sponsors.

Traditionally the yacht club is the most colourful place in Sai Kung for the two days. It is also a very human event; lots of people will be there in wheelchairs because of Sailability, the charity founded by Kay and the late Mike Rawbone which gives sailing experiences to the disabled. Familiar faces from Sai Kung businesses will be seen manning the booths.

Out on the water in view of the crowd on the shore sailing teams will be competing in dinghies to see who can do the most laps of the 1.2 km course in 24 hours.

In its 20 years the HHYC 24Hour Dinghy Race has raised more than $12 million for charities such as Children’s Cancer Foundation, Sailability, IDEAL, TREATS and The Sai Kung District Community Centre. The club is open to the public on both days so residents can eat, drink and merrily support the good causes.

For more information take a look at the HHYC website. It’s a big year for the Club, also its 60th anniversary.