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Miracles on the high seas Making Waves

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Twelve months ago, a totally unexpected miracle occurred at a small charity lunch at Sail Port Stephens.

At that function, and out of the blue, a generous retired lady put up her hand during an appeal and said: “I will commit a significant donation [today] if you agree to bring Making Waves to Newcastle”.

This substantial pledge triggered a chain of events that has already witnessed 200 local disabled school children go sailing on a large ocean yacht in Newcastle in Term 1 of 2022.

Making Waves Foundation general manager Julian Martin has worked in the charity space for more than two decades – and says he hadn’t seen anything like it before.

“I have been lucky enough to see many communities pull together to make things happen, but nothing really stacks up like this,” he said.

“Just think about it, last year we only had two program bases, one in Sydney and one in Melbourne.

“Then this happens, someone kicks it off by pledging $30,000 to start the initiative in Newcastle.

“Then Port Waratah Coal Services catch the vision and donate another $100,000 over two years.

“To top it off, the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers us a berth and home free of charge.

“Then a 52-foot racing yacht that was generously donated to us many years ago becomes available – and it’s the perfect platform.

“It’s a large boat, it fits four wheelchairs and a bunch of kids all at once and is an exciting sailing machine.

“And, here we are again for our second lunch, thanks to Sail Port Stephens and d’Albora Marina Nelson Bay who have made us their charity partner.”

Mr Martin was quick to praise the 40-plus local Making Waves volunteers who help run the program.

“They are amazing sailors, some disabled, one has even graduated from being a client with us as a child and is now an adult volunteer,” he said.

“So, now, we return to Sail Port Stephen to celebrate what has just happened and cast vision for the next 12 months, which will see us work with local indigenous kids, and homeless and disadvantaged youth.

“If you look it at from my perspective as the GM of a small charity that’s punching well above its weight, it’s an absolute miracle and something the Newcastle community should be proud of.

“All this despite COVID-19, floods and God know what else people have been dealing with.

“We have a very strong and generous community in Newcastle and it’s a privilege to be here.

“Today, we are doing the lunch all over again at Broughton at the Bay.

“Who knows what will happen this time?”

For more information on the initiative, go to www.makingwavesfoundation.com.au

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