Human chain will be a Coast Guard fund-raiser
If you see hundreds of people on holding hands on Ballina’s North Wall on Sunday, June 1 – the first day of winter — don’t worry, they haven’t gone barmy!
Nor will it be a giant love-in.
Those people will be taking part in a human chain of support as part of a fund-raising activity for the Ballina flotilla of the Volunteer Coast Guard.
The inaugural Gala Day of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Ballina at the North Wall Coast Guard Tower will raise funds towards a much-needed new Coast Guard Tower.
As well as an action packed day of entertainment for all the family, one of the highlights will be the first ever attempt to form the human chain of support along North Wall from the tower to Missingham Bridge, with assembly for the chain at 9am.
Ballina Coast Guard volunteers are hoping that a thousand people will help make this chain a reality, and show the true spirit of the community by linking hands to assist the Coast Guard.
“We’re asking for a $2 registration fee from each person in the chain, which will go a long way towards kicking off our fundraising efforts,” a spokeswoman said.
“And if we get a thousand or more joining in, it’ll look pretty spectacular too!”
Every person registered in the chain will go into the draw to win a prize.
Other activities include:
At 10am, a flotilla of local boats led by CG101, the rescue boat of the Ballina Coast Guard Flotilla, will travel up the river
At 11.15am, there will be a full-scale mock rescue in the river with the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and rescue boat CG101
Organisers are catering for the whole family with food, coffee, ice cream, music and more, plus everything from discount motor trike rides, deep sea fishing and Ocean Pirate rides, to massages, clairvoyance and Aura Soma. And no fundraising day would be complete without a Chocolate Wheel, Trash and Treasure, and raffles.
Activities will run from 9am until 3pm.
