The San Fernando Race Foundation

is a charity registered in Hong Kong. It was established by sailors participating in the San Fernando Race, a well-known blue water classic yacht race that first took place 47 years ago in 1977 when several sailors decided to race back from San Fernando in northern Luzon in the Philippines to Hong Kong. Since 1979 hundreds of yachts have raced from Hong Kong to San Fernando and with the 47th anniversary upon us at Easter this year we are hoping for a strong entry for this favourite of yacht races. Appearing on the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar, the race has seen participation by such luminaries as Sir Robin Knox Johnston and the yacht Rothmans.

San Fernando has always welcomed the race enthusiastically and in 1987 the sailors felt that they wanted to put something lasting back into the community that had displayed such warm hospitality. The Faith Rescue Home, previously run and funded by the US military and private individuals, was identified as a way the sailors could give back. The home provides support and housing for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Initially, this was done in an ad hoc manner but in 2000, the San Fernando Race Foundation was created to raise money more formally and to ensure the future of the home. This allowed the home's capacity to double from 15 children to today's 32, ranging in age from 9 to 24 years old.