Published 15 years ago, updated 6 years ago

As reported on Sail-World.com

Australian Sailors can help Haiti – Donate your old spinnakers NOW!!

Tom Braidwood (Sailors Help Haiti) is calling all Australian yachties to help the survivors of the Haiti Earthquake.

One of the biggest problems the Haitians are facing is enough shelter. The wet season is quickly approaching and a solution is needed as soon as possible. As all yachties know, there are thousands of old sails lying around in garages and containers all over Australia. Tom’s plan is to turn these old useless items into tarps and tent shelters.

Tom has approached Michael Coxon, Managing Director of North Sails (Australia) who is excited to be involved and has offered the use of his loft to turn the sails into shelters. Sail will be cut into squares, edged and eyeletted to produce usable tarpaulins.

Debbie of Haitian Christian Mission Australia is also on board and is thrilled to be able to ensure the shelters reach the people who need them most. Check out what else the Haitian Christian Mission do at www.hcmaustralia.org.au [BROKEN LINK].

Tom says, “With the wet season approaching its vital to provide the Haitians with some shelter. With the help of the North Sails Australia loft, we can recut these old sails into tent-like structures.

The wonderful people of Haiti Christian Mission Australia will then distribute the sails to desperate families and help reduce the risk of disease.

We’d like to thank Simon Kurts who has donated two spinnakers from the famous old yacht “Love and War”.

Be inspired by Simon Kurt’s generosity and check your garage for old spinnakers!

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

1/ Provide the sails! Do you have unwanted sails from yachts > 40ft?

2/ Volunteer time in the loft. Sailmakers, please contact us if you can help in any way.

If you can help please email us on sailorshelp_haiti@y7mail.com and follow our blog http://sailorshelphaiti.blogspot.com.”