Saga Moon competion raises £5,000 for Seafarer's UK
Belfast, March 8th 2010
Norfolkline staff and the general public had the chance to win some fantastic prizes by estimating how long it would take the Saga Moon to get from Belfast to La Paz in the Gulf of California, Mexico and in so doing raised £5,000 for Seafarer's UK .
When the Saga Moon left Norfolkline, after many years of service, Norfolkline used the opportunity to raise funds for Seafarers UK, the leading charity for the UK’s maritime community, by organising a competition to estimate how long it would take the Saga Moon to get from Belfast to its new home at La Paz in the Gulf of California.
A superb range of prizes were available to be won, with the first prize being a trip to Mexico for 2 people, including 7 nights accommodation and return flights. Second prize was a return crossing on Norfolkline Irish Sea for a car and 2 people and 2 tickets to a home Liverpool F.C. match.
Over 600 people entered the competition and made donations raising a total of £5,000. Estimates ranged from 17 to 64 days and the Saga moon actually only took 21 days, 10 hours and 24 minutes to reach La Paz, proving what a great ship she is! 92 entrants thought the vessel would arrive in less than 22 days. On the basis of this sample, 15% of people are optimists and 85% are pessimists!
Vincent Hughes from Belfast scooped first prize (a weeks holiday for two in Mexico) and second prize of a romantic trip for two to Paris went to Kirstie Dewhurst from Heysham.
About Seaferers UK
Seafarers UK gives grants to organisations that help serving or ex-serving seafarers from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Merchant Navy or fishing fleets, and their families.They do not give grants to individuals, but funds expert front-line charities that work directly with seafarers in distress. These charities help with all aspects of seafarers’ welfare, including accommodation, medical services, disability services, financial aid, childcare, education and training and youth activities.