HMAS Sydney (Captain Peter Leavy) strengthened Navy’s links with the wider community recently when she raised $5,000 for her adopted charity, The Infants’ Home, which is dedicated to giving young children an opportunity for happy and fulfilling lives.
Sydney hosted the launch of The Infants’ Home’s ‘Priceless Gift of Opportunity’ campaign, which aims to raise $6.5 million to build a state-of-the-art integrated Early Learning and Care Centre.
More than 80 VVIPs including the NSWGovernor, Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir attended Sydney’s cocktail party and ceremonial sunset at Fleet Base East on February 24.
CAPT Leavy said the RAN, and in particularSydney, has a very long-standing relationship with The Infants’ Home, which as a non-profit organisation relies heavily on goodwill and sponsorship to provide young children with the opportunities they need in life.
“Sydney is proud of our ongoing support to the aid of The Infants’ Home. Every dollar raised will ensure that this important and worthwhile charity continues to meet the needs of the 1300 children in its care and their families,” he said.
CAPT Leavy presented The Infants’ Home with a cheque for $5,000 and pledged more financial support throughout the year as the Ship’s Company continue with a variety of fund-raising activities.
The VVIPs praised Sydney for her commitment to helping The Infants’ Home, which is dedicated to providing each child with every opportunity to succeed in life.
The NSW Governor, who is an Honorary Commodore in the RAN, saluted Sydney and her fine crew for providing important support to such an important charity.
“It’s an enormous privilege for us to be here on Sydney, which bears the tradition and illustrious history of its forbears and courageous personnel whom we remember with thoughts of gratitude and respect,” she said.
The Ship’s Company of Sydney worked tirelessly to make the fund-raiser a smashing success for The Infants’ Home, which was founded in 1874 by a group of women who established a home for abandoned infants and unmarried mothers with ‘illegitimate children’.
Some of Sydney’s unsung heroes who made the evening a great success included LS Matt Reedy and AB Atelana Toga, who said they helped to serve more than 1000 drinks and 20 trays of high quality finger-food.
LS Reedy said the function represented about a week of really hardwork by most of the crew, but everyone was more than happy to contribute to such a worthwhile cause.
AB Toga said the efforts of the crew were appreciated by the guests who were full of praise for the RAN’s great hospitality – “in particular the sparkling wine and the lamb cutlets”.
The money raised by Sydney will allow The Infants’ Home to further extend support to all families – especially those experiencing hardship, in vulnerable circumstances and those with complex needs.
The proposed Early Learning and Care Centre will provide high quality integrated services including child care and education, medical and allied health programs, counselling and parenting education, child and mental health, early intervention and outreach and advocacy.
For further information visit: www.theinfantshome.org.au
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