Members serving at Navy Headquarters have dug deep for a worthy cause, raising more than $1,000 for the sailor support charity Keeping Watch.
Deputy Chief of Staff of Navy Headquarters, Captain Charlie Stephenson, said a sausage sizzle held in Canberra on 8 March provided the ideal opportunity to raise money for the worthy cause.
"Our event was timed to coincide with International Women's Day," Captain Stephenson said. "We asked guests for a gold coin donation and I was particularly pleased with how our people contributed on the day," he said.
Keeping Watch provides assistance to serving members of the Royal Australian Navy and their families who are suffering adverstity, normally through non-refundable grants. Financial assistance may be used to alleviate hardship after a crisis such as a house fire, an unexpected death or a serious illness, or provide for medical support or child care costs during an unexpected family emergency.
Coordinated by the RAN Relief Trust Fund, Keeping Watch is run by Navy people for Navy people.
The funds donated by staff at Russell Offices was made up almost entirely of $1 and $2 coins. "It took a little time, but no one was complaining!" said Commander Christina Ween, a Trustee of the RAN Relief Trust Fund and Deputy Chair of Keeping Watch.
"In the end, the final tally came in at $1,028.70 - and ever dollar will be put to good use, helping our people and their families," she said.
Since Keeping Watch began in 2013, almost $200,000 has been used to grant Navy people some form of financial help. For more information about the activities of Keeping Watch, or to make a tax deductible donation, please visit our donations page