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Set a goal, make it real, kick it off in a vibrant and supporting JB community and anything is achievable. That’s right folks, Mako’s fundraising goals have hit the mark and our new dragon boat is on the way.
More Water Than Boat
We love good old Boat 5 and she has happily toured JB and helped Mako grow over the past 18 months but with an increasing water to fibreglass ratio, the time finally arrived. With herniac groans in the pre-dawn light, the time has come for Boat 5 to head to the great Regatta in the sky.
Mako embarked on an ambitious fundraising campaign on February 1 to raise the funds to purchase a new dragonboat. Unlike our urban colleagues, regional clubs need to purchase their own boats and our turn has arrived.
Mako Mania
Like any mako on the prowl, this fundraising push was an all hands on deck, boots and all affair that saw members popping up at Bunnings, Triathlons, and knocking on the door of, ringing, emailing, and social media stalking every contact, friend, and stranger to hit our fundraising target.
Mako is fortunate to paddle on a bay and in a community that embraces thse who are willing to stand up, try something different and have a go. It’s that supports and our incredible members that enabled Mako to place an order for a new Champion Dragonboat with a mid-year launch date.
Fundraising Role of Honor
Mako’s fundraising was acheived by hundreds of incredible supporters across the local community, businesses , friends, family, people we have never met who love what Mako is up to, and members of the dragonboat fraternity across Australia and the world. Here’s the roll of honour:
- Go Fund Me (over 200 individual donations) $9762
- Husky Sports (thank you Mark Schofield) $2000
- Aquatique (thank you Justin Bellwood) $1000
- Jake Leonard for running chocolate drive
- Simon Katz for donating trolley construction & sticker costs
- Special mention Fi Goodman, Liza Stephenson, Maria, Vanessa Minuti, Chicki, Janelle and Janine for massive fundraising efforts + all Mako who joined fundraising team.
- Ryan and Elizabeth Brown for Husky Pub Trivia night
- Jodie McLaren for Elite Energy Husky Tri rostering/fundraising + all volunteers
- Janine for wrangling Bunnings BBQs + all volunteers
- Special thanks to friends and family of Mako from far and wide around Australia who contributed straight into bank account = $2000
- Blair Gamble and AusChamp Paddle Alliance for a 10% discount
That’s it folks, the order is in and the boats on the way. Next up will be farewell drinks and (maybe) a Viking funeral for Boat 5 who’s history comes to an ende after faithful service in Canberra with sunset days spent on Jervis Bay.
