Sailing boats of any kind are being invited to take part in a fun pursuit race on Dublin Bay this Friday to help raise funds for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. The organisers have set a goal of €5,000 and have been boosted by sponsorship from Savills Estate Agents.

The format is a proven method that delivers fun and sport by giving the slowest boats a 'head-start' while faster entries wait and see if they can catch the lead boats: first past the line wins but there are plenty of prizes ranging from various different vouchers and a special gift for the first lady winner and best dressed sailor.

A secret handicap is calculated before the race to determine the starting times though the emphasis is not strictly on winning to ensure maximum fun for the participants.

This event is being hosted by the Royal St. George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire and entries can be made online at www.rsgyc.ie or alternatively by emailing: [email protected] The cost per person to enter is €5 (or more if preferred) and a number of spots are available on boats so available crew are invited to contact the organisers for places.

To meet the target, around 100 boats are needed to take part and the West Pier at Dun Laoghaire will offer an ideal vantage point for spectators as the race around the marker buoys on the bay gets underway.

Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin is an acute paediatric teaching hospital and is Ireland 's largest paediatric hospital being responsible for the provision of the majority of tertiary care services for children and medical research for childhood illnesses in Ireland.

For more than 50 years, Our Lady's Children's Hospital has relied on fund-raising to help ensure that critically ill and injured children have access to the highest quality care. Contributions are invested in outstanding paediatric care and research to help the nation's sick children and continue to support efforts to ensure healthier children and happier lives.