MISSION to Seafarers Sydney and Port Authority of New South Wales have come together to offer a chance to experience Sydney Harbour aboard tugboat Shirley Smith.
Port Authority of NSW donated 90 minutes onboard the iconic firefighting tug as the prize for Mission to Seafarers Sydney’s 2022 Christmas raffle.
Mission to Seafarers is inviting the maritime community to buy raffle tickets not only for a chance to win, but to support seafarers through the charity’s annual Christmas appeal.
It said all funds raised from the online raffle would go toward the appeal.
Mission to Seafarers Sydney principal chaplain Rev Un Tay said the initiative would help seafarers feel “a little less alone” over Christmas and New Year.
“We are working to provide the support they need at this often difficult time, whatever their background,” he told DCN.
“In 2021 we gave out over 2000 Christmas gift bags, and sunnies were the most popular item. So, this year, we are aiming to give a pair to all the seafarers who visit us during the Christmas period – if we can raise the funds for enough pairs.
“Additional funds raised will go towards extra gift bag goods, buying Christmas treats that we can share with seafarers who visit our centre during this time, including on Christmas Eve day, and towards our wellbeing services.
“Thank you to the Port Authority for donating this terrific prize that money can’t buy.”
The prize is for up to four adults or children (over the age of eight) to spend 90 minutes on the tug, with the crew, on a Saturday in summer.
Winners can use the tickets on a Saturday before 31 March 2023.
Mission to Seafarers will draw the winners using randomised technology at 1400 on Tuesday 22 December 2022.
Funds raised will go towards gifts of sunglasses and other Christmas gift bag treats and wellbeing services for seafarers.
Click here to purchase raffle tickets, or contact enquiries@missiontoseafarers.org.au for more information.
