On Sunday 15th July 60 Howth Yacht Club entertained sixty special needs children as well as their families and carers by hosting the second "Boat for Hope" charity event in conjunction with the Variety Club of Ireland.
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Mick Hunt's 'Pirate Ship (Photo by Chris Howard)
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Almost 60 boats of all shapes and sizes were used to bring the visitors (many in wheelchairs) out of the harbour and across to Balscaddan Bay where they encountered Mick Hunt's 'Pirate Ship' at anchor with 'Captain Rocket' and his pirates.
'Treasure Boxes' were transferred to the 'special crews' on the yachts by the HYC RIB team as well as other volunteer RIB owners and crew whilst being 'under waterfire' from the Coastguard and Lifeboat vessels that also 'lay in waiting!'
When they returned to the harbour the boats did a tour of the Fisheries Harbour where the resident seals showed off their swimming skills.
Once ashore, all were entertained by the Variety Club in their marquee on the green.
It will (once again) prove to have been a very special day for the children and their families and the organising team would like to thank the hundreds of members that made this memorable day happen.
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(L-R) Pat Murphy & Brian Turvey
On-the-water organisers
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We would also like to thank the many sponsors and external services that provided support including Dublin Fire Brigade, Red Cross Ambulance Service, Howth Coastguard and Howth RNLI, as well as our other guests including Fingal Mayor Cian O'Callaghan, Harbourmaster Capt Raja Maitra, Terance Flanagan TD and the members of the Variety Club of Ireland that coordinated the event including the invitations to the many families, schools and hospitals that participated.
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