Australian sailing legends promote yacht raffle to help kids at Bear Cottage

- Famous yachties Jessica Watson, Jesse Martin and Iain Murray onboard fund-raising campaign.

- Raffle winner to be announced at the Sydney International Boatshow.

- Winner to have two-hour sailing session on Pittwater with solo round-the-world skipper Jessica Watson.

Supported by many of Australia’s best known sailors, the Bear Cottage children’s hospice is raffling a Hanse 355 as part of its annual fund-raising campaign.

The winner of the Hanse yacht, valued at $220,000 will be announced at the Sydney International Boatshow on July 31 by Hanse’s national importer Team Windcraft.

Net proceeds from the '355 for Bear Cottage' raffle will help ensure Bear Cottage raises enough money to assist families coping with the impossible -- caring for a child with a terminal illness.

Jessica Watson, who skippered Ella’s Pink Lady into Sydney Harbour in May last year after her epic round-the-world journey, is one of many notable sailors and celebrities to support the campaign.

Named 2011’s Young Australian of the Year, Jessica will take the winner of the Hanse yacht for two hours sailing on Pittwater north of Sydney.

Others prominent supporters of the fund-raising campaign include the holder of the record for the youngest person to sail around the world single-handed and unassisted, Jesse Martin, America’s Cup yachtsman Iain Murray, Sydney businessman/sailor Marcus Blackmore, and leading tactician and helmsman Michael Coxon.

Jesse Martin, throwing his weight and support behind the raffle and the appeal said: "The irony of solo sailing is that it takes a team to get you to the starting line. In one way or another we're all in this together, something that Bear Cottage epitomises. Let's support Bear Cottage support the people who need it most."

"Bear Cottage must be supported and nurtured," said Iain Murray, "Bass Straight at its worst is less formidable than the tough hurdles faced by these families," he added.

Marcus Blackmore also said the raffle is supporting a very deserving charity.

“There are very few places in Australia that have such amazing facilities and wonderful staff to support so many children and families who are going through such a heartbreaking and challenging time,” Mr Blackmore said.

An initiative of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Bear Cottage needs $2.5 million every year to provide care and support for terminally-ill children and their families. Located near Manly Beach in Sydney, Bear Cottage is one of only two children’s hospices in Australia and the only one in NSW. For more information go to http://www.bearcottage.chw.edu.au/

Tickets for the Bear Away raffle, which is being organised by Team Windcraft, are $100 each with a limit of 5,000. Full details of the '355 for Bear Cottage' campaign and how to purchase tickets can be found at www.355forbearcottage.com