The yachting community has a further reason to attend the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. The Yachting Day Gala will return to unite builders, brokers, and more to benefit the international non-governmental organization Mercy Ships.
A black-tie event, the Yachting Day Gala is set for September 9 at the Carlton Cannes Hotel. The inaugural event for Mercy Ships, held last year during the boat show, raised nearly $600,000. Some of this resulted from a challenge among the different industry sectors to contribute the most.
Robert Allen, the founder of Robert Allen Law, was inspired to organize the fundraiser, similar to Mercy Ships’ longstanding Cargo Day. An annual event, Cargo Day sees shipping and trading ship owners, charterers, port agents, and related professionals raise money for Mercy Ships’ two largest civilian hospital ships.
Those same ships, namely Africa Mercy and Global Mercy, have a combined 11 operating rooms. The ships’ all-volunteer staffs range from surgeons to the crew. Last year, upwards of 2,500 volunteers from more than 60 countries served onboard. The surgeries are life changing, including fixing cleft palates, for example, removing tumors, and correcting malformed bones. They specifically benefit patients in sub-Saharan Africa who don’t have safe surgical care nearby. “Yachting is a relationship-driven industry,” Allen says. “Aligning that network behind Mercy Ships’ mission of hope and healing delivers immediate, measurable change.” In fact, just $1,500 covers three surgeries.
A faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has been working in Africa for more than three decades. Besides performing surgeries, its team trains local healthcare professionals, to ensure enduring impact in their communities. Additionally, the non-profit partners with local healthcare groups to construct and renovate facilities, like ones for dental and ophthalmic services.
Early-bird Yachting Day Gala tickets are currently available, through June 1. For sponsorships, contact Carlie Sena at Robert Allen Law.
Yachting Day Gala yachtingday.org
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