‘Hostages’ raise more than $100,000 for Spirit of Bermuda

The pirates of Bermuda showed no mercy today as fundraisers were made to walk the plank to raise money for the Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s Save Spirit of Bermuda Campaign.

The Foundation smashed their target of $100,000 as people bid to either save friends, family and co-workers or send them into the icy cold waters off Albuoy’s Point at Hamilton Harbour.

Needless to say, more cash was pumped into individual hostages’ ‘plank fund’ than their ‘ransom fund’ as the on-looking crowd revelled in watching them, one-by-one, jump — or be pushed — off the side of the Spirit of Bermuda ship.

Preservation

The money raised will provide a much-needed injection of cash to preserve the Foundation’s Youth Character Development and its iconic vessel, which provides ocean-sailing experience for teenagers.

Opening the proceedings was Governor George Fergusson, who joked: “In past history the role of the Governor of Bermuda is to see that hostage taking is prohibited — but in the current circumstances that’s been suspended.”

Among the hostages was Canon Norman Lynas, of The Cathedral Of The Most Holy Trinity. Kitted out in his Ireland rugby shirt, Canon Lynas cut a shivering figure as he clambered back on dry land.

Asked whether he was upset people were so keen to dip into their pockets to see him get wet, he said: “Not at all but I’ll have the last laugh tomorrow — they’ll do penance! 

“It’s actually quite daunting when you hit the water but it’s wonderful to see so many people here for a good cause and to see the amount of money raised, money that will ensure quite an adventure for the boys and girls of Bermuda.”

Peter Smith, of Warwick, one of the early hostages to walk the plank, said: “It was actually very good, until that split second you hit the water!”

Mr Smith was one of the more reluctant hostages on board, judging by his contorted entrance into the sea.

He explained: “When I walked on to the plank I still wasn’t sure whether I wanted to do it!

“Everyone I called to save me did the opposite to make sure I went in. My friends are vicious.”

“It was cold!”

Deanna Durham, director of charity Brotherhood Sisterhood, walked the plank with fellow director Bill Trott despite actually raising enough money — she collected $3,000 in total — to save herself.

She said: “They still wanted to see me jump. It was all about choice in the end –but it was cold!”

 The Foundations CEO Denise Riveire said: ““After giving his Letter of Marque granting permission for us to take hostages in these hard economic times, the Governor and I systematically called off the fate of each hostage based on the amount of money raised. There were 24 hostages, 22 in attendance, only one of which was successful in maintaining her ransom and getting off the ship dry.  

“Despite many hostages’ attempts to try to raise enough ransom to stay dry, family, friends and colleagues promptly put up the money needed just in time to watch their loved ones walk the plank. It was great fun, but the water was cold!”

The Save Spirit of Bermuda Campaign is targeting $3m to save the Foundation’s Character Development Programme, which mostly serves M3 level students.

For more information go to www.savespiritofbermuda.com