Social cruise turns into Sydney Hobart race for charity

2:46 AM Fri 13 Nov 2009 GMT

'Livewire racing to Hobart' Angela Turnbull

A social cruise to Coffs Harbour by four mates on a Beneteau Oceanis 37, Reflection has turned into something much bigger.

After celebratory drink at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club, it was suggested that we sail south leaving Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day.

Once we realised it was being suggested that we do the Sydney to Hobart, we all looked at each other and said 'do you think we could?' We set out on a journey to discover if in fact we could.

Last week Reflection came second in PHS in the Gosford to Lord Howe race and hence qualified for the Hobart race.

Reflection Racing to Hobart for Livewire charity - Angela Turnbull

We are well on track with a crew that totals 41 Hobarts between them, (only one of which is by a member of the initial four!)

Reflection will be racing to Hobart as 'Livewire.org.au'.

Part of our motivation for the trip south is to raise funds for Livewire, a wholly owned subsidiary of Starlight Foundation. Livewire have developed a website to support kids with a serious illness or disability. It provides the kids with a window to the outside world and helps them to be kids through their ordeal. Our journey is being blogged on the Livewire site and the feedback from the kids is tremendous. From their comments the kids seem mature beyond their years with comments such as 'Livewire has been such a support to me it is great to see you supporting Livewire. Livewire has helped me to be a kid.'

We are hoping to raise $50,000 through the trip to help Livewire reach even more kids. They also provide a site to support the parents and another site to support the siblings of sick children.

Contributions can be made on line at: www.everydayhero.com.au/david_pring