About HCW
Each year the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto, hosts the Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta, in support of the Hunter branch of Cancer Council NSW who provide domestic support services for both terminal and recovering cancer patients.
The Heaven Can Wait Charity Regatta was conceived and inaugurated by Lake Macquarie resident, keen sailor and cancer survivor Shaun Lewicki as a major annual sailing event on the lake, to promote sailing, the Lake Macquarie/Newcastle/Hunter region – and to raise funds for cancer research. Research has significantly improved the recovery rates of cancer patients, and therefore, so has the need to focus on helping those patients through their recovery. The Home Help Program run by the Hunter Branch of Cancer Council NSW has assisted some 40 patients over the past 12 months and as recovery rates improve even further, so will need for this type of support. A small amount of the funds raised also goes to Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue, who provide on water rescue support during the regatta.
Entry fees paid by the participants go to the charity. In addition to the entry fees, participating boats are expected to participate in a ‘virtual’ fundraising race in support of the charities. In 2023, the amount raised was over $45,000 and in total since its inception, the regatta has raised in excess of $600,000.
The regatta covers the length and breadth of beautiful Lake Macquarie and includes 4 races run in parallel. There is the Short One Lap Dash around the Northern end of the Lake and the Classic One Lap Dash around the whole lake, with both these races being open to all yachts, multihulls and trailer sailers. Then there is the tougher but more exciting 12 Hour Race and the 24 Hour Race.
The regatta will celebrate its 19th year in 2025 and will once again be part of the much larger aquatic event on Lake Macquarie - Lakefest.
Our sincerest thanks to the 2024 'Heaven Can Wait' Sponsors