President Warren Deaves, along with John Arthur, Ted Drayton, Mary Deaves, Bill Gee, Cathy Gee, Sylvia Hamblin, Garry Hamblin, Barry Cox, Mel Rolfe and Anita White, are making the trek up the Hunter Expressway to participate in the inaugural Light Up Newcastle Lantern Walk on Saturday, February 21.

The event, at the Honeysuckle Precinct, will also incorporate Chinese New Year celebrations.

Mr Deaves said Rotary was raising funds for Mission to Seafarers. 

“Money from the sale of lanterns at this year’s Light Up Newcastle Lantern Walk will go towards the organisation,” he told The Argus.

“Mission to Seafarers assists sailors visiting the Port of Newcastle with a ‘home away from home’ at the Seafarers Centre at Wickham.

“Currently, more than 40,000 seafarers use the services offered by the Mission each year, with transport to the centre, shopping, banking, healthcare and social and spiritual support.

“The funds raised from lantern sales will assist with the purchase of a new mini transport bus.”

Mr Deaves admitted the Singleton Rotarians were looking forward to the Lantern Walk.

“It’s a big-scale event,” he said.

“There’ll be dragon boat races, lion dancers, Chinese entertainers, marching bands, choirs, firing of Fort Scratchley guns, fireworks and much more.

“It’s also an opportunity for us to make a lot of money for the club.

“We’ll be setting up a marquee and selling food and drinks during the afternoon.”

The Lantern Walk has its origin in this year’s Rotary International theme of Light up Rotary – and the challenge set by 2014-15 Rotary International president Gary CK Huang to engage in a project that involves the whole community.