Heaven Can Wait 2011 virtual race: The fundraising continues!!

3:03 AM Wed 5 Oct 2011 GMT

'Granny Jen is still leading the virtual race in the Heaven Can Wait fundraiser - Heaven Can Wait' Mark Scott

Although the on-water edition of the Heaven Can Wait 2011 charity yacht race ended on Sunday at midday -- much to the relief of cold, rain-soaked and weary competitors -- fundraising for the 'virtual' race is continuing apace.

Already since the race ended, an extra $6,000 has been donated, including an additional $1000 to virtual race leader Granny Jen, and $1500 to third-placed Windchaser.

With some cash donations and additional entry fees still to be added, Heaven Can Wait 2011 has already raised more than $30,000 in donations -- well on the way to beating the 2010 total of $40,000 and approaching the target of $50,000.

As in past years, all money raised through the Heaven Can Wait charity yacht race, held each year during the October Long Weekend on Lake Macquarie, just south of Newcastle, NSW, goes to the Cancer Council NSW for men's cancer support and research programs, along with up to $5000 to Marine Rescue NSW which provides on-water support services.

'We are delighted with how fundraising for this year's event has gone,' said Shaun Lewicki, Heaven Can Wait Yacht Club commodore.

'This is despite on-going issues with the Swansea Channel, and a particularly uninspiring forecast for the weekend this year, which no doubt discouraged a number of late entries.

'However, in spite of the difficulties in getting through the Swansea Channel for out-of-lake boats, due to yet another build up of sand, we had five boats come up the coast for this year's race, each having to be dragged through the shallows with their mast tipped over,to reduce their keel depth.

'Hopefully the channel dredging situation will be finally resolved in time for next year's race, so that we can finally attract significant numbers of yachts from outside of the lake.

'This year's results, and the ongoing rate of donations in the days following the race certainly bodes well for fundraising for Heaven Can Wait 2012,' he said.

Donations for this year's event can be made by going to www.heavencanwait.com.au , and clicking on the large 'DONATE HERE' button on the front page. Clicking on a boat's name brings up a donation page, with all donations going through a secure online e-commerce system.

by Heaven Can Wait media

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Heaven Can Wait 2011 virtual race: The fundraising continues!!

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