Story
As a young Blue Funnel/Glen Line midshipman a few years ago, I was the grateful and often needy recipient of the many services then provided by The Missions to Seamen (as it then was). I have never forgotten how great it was to have somewhere to go in a foreign port on the other side of the world where one might be loading or discharging for weeks on end and when all the money had run out. It is now time to repay the debt. So, in September this year, I will be heading over to Europe from my home in Cairns, North Queensland to participate as a rider in the 2009 Tour Pour La Mer (please see: www.tourpourlamer.com) This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for The Mission to Seafarers with some 500 riders from the shipping industry (like me) taking part. The Mission did me a lot of favours when I was at sea. I want to give back by raising as much money as possible for The Mission between now and September.
I need your help please. I have just opened this page to make it easy for you to donate. For my part, I am making sure that I can safely complete the 2-day ride before I leave Australia. It’s from Antwerp to Rotterdam on day 1 (25 September) and from Rotterdam to Amsterdam and return on the following day. Earlier in the year, I participated in the Great Australian Bike Ride raising money for Rotary Mental Health and I am just back from the annual Coast to Coast bike ride across Queensland from Cairns to Karumba raising money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of Distance Education and next week is a ride from Townsville to Cairns raising money for research into children’s cancer. Cycling is great! The TPLM is the sort of ride that not only raises money for a very worthy cause but also publicises the benefits of cycling throughout the maritime community. Please give generously. It will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.