FOR the ninth consecutive year, the 1st Richards Bay Sea Scout Group did something special for those seamen who spent Christmas on board ships in the harbour, far away from their families.
The ‘Christmas Mug Project’ has become a popular and well received community event, with members of the shipping fraternity and other donors assisting the scouts to collect mugs and fillers in the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve.
Once again, on 24 December there was tremendous help from City of uMhlathuze Fire and Rescue Services, who transported the gifts to a number of vessels in the harbour.
Every sailor in port received a mug pack containing with sweets, biscuits, cards, key rings, eats and wooden ornament tags along with a handmade card indicating the individual or company mug donor.
‘With the help of cubs and scouts, their leaders and some parents, we handed out more than 400 mugs to crews on 18 ships,’ said perennial organiser Liz Wood.
‘But the stars of the show were the firemen who arrived dead on time in their shiny fire engine, with bells and sirens heralding the occasion.
‘They were full of life and joined in at every vessel, assisting cubs up the gangways and carrying the goodies, despite the intense heat of the day.
‘Special thanks go to all who responded to our pleas and donated cash or items.’
