14TH September 2016
Dear Member
I would like to introduce you to the work of Stella Maris – an international charity dedicated to the relief of need, hardship or distress amongst seafarers of all nationalities, races, colour and creeds irrespective of gender.
We all know the appalling conditions which many seafarers on commercial cargo ships face and perhaps there is something small that the sailing community in Dun Laoghaire can do to help alleviate some of their hardship.
I am writing to ask you to consider whether you have oilskins or similar sailing gear, which you are thinking about replacing over the winter, and that you could donate to this worthy cause. This is a combined initiative of the Royal St George Yacht Club, the Royal Irish Yacht Club, the National Yacht Club and Dublin Bay Sailing Club.
If you have such gear, we ask that you bring it to Viking Marine on Saturday 24th September 2016 – our final DBSC Saturday race day of the season (or anytime over the following week). We will also have a collection point at the marina entrance which will be manned by Viking Marine and volunteers before and after racing. We will forward suitable gear donated by you to Stella Maris and your gear will help ease the hardship of fellow mariners as they travel from port to port.
We are grateful to Viking Marine for supporting this initiative and the great news is that Viking Marine will be offering discount vouchers for ‘like for like’ replacement purchases.
Please tell your friends and crewmates and try to bring gear which is of such quality and condition as to be suitable for immediate deployment.
Thank you for Giving Back.
Yours in Sailing
Frank O’Beirne
Rear Commodore Sailing
