Over the years Hebe Haven Yacht Club have had a vision of developing a youth sailing program to encourage children to take up dinghy sailing with the intention of grooming future Club and even national representatives in this sport.

In 2006, the members conceived the idea of holding fund raising events to raise money for this program and so introduced the “Mad May Ball” and at the inaugural event in 2007 raised $120,000 for the “Development Fund for Youth Sailing”. Since then almost $200,000 has been raised for youth sailing and have supported numerous individuals and groups.

Proceeds for the fund comes from a variety of sponsors from corporate companies to products and services providers with either direct monetary support or products.

Over the last three years the fund has supported youth sailors in both Hong Kong and overseas competition either representing the Club or as individuals. All in all, both the experience gained by the kids at competitions or as ambassadors for the sport and Club has given them the opportunity to progress further in their chosen discipline.

In 2009, Hebe Haven Yacht Club will introduce a Community Sailing Program that incorporates a proposal to offer the children in local Government subsidized schools the opportunity to participate in dinghy sailing free, an experience they would not normally be able to have. This program will offer “Sailing Scholarships” to the kids from these schools that have the interest or potential in taking up dinghy sailing. Who knows, there might be future Hong Kong sailing representatives there.

The second phase will be to implement a “Sailabilty Program” for the disabled. This will start with simple and basic sailing for groups who are less firm both physically and mentally. As we develop the program, together with sponsorship we plan to invest in specialized equipment and craft which could lead Hebe Haven into having sailors with the ability to compete at the Para Olympics in the future.

It is for all the above reasons that we are asking for support from like minded sponsors who feel the same “Corporate Social Responsibility” towards supporting worthwhile Community projects with the future of the children of Hong Kong in mind.