With the economic environment deteriorating rapidly in Hong Kong, the Liechtenstein Princely Navy has come to the rescue with its second Navy White Christmas party in Lan Kwai Fong – injecting desperately needed cash into the local bar scene while at the same time raising funds for Operation Santa Claus.

Following the Navy’s most successful season ever – Reminder: We’re still Stanley B Cup Champions! – the Admiralty organized another Navy White Christmas party at Crow’s Nest with the objective of doubling last year’s charity total from HK$ 10,000 to 20,000. Sailors attended in their crisp white uniforms reserved for special occasions such as these. Upon entry the Admiralty conducted a thorough uniform inspection and handing out instant penalties for dress code violations – proceeds going straight to charity of course:

No uniform = HK$100
No hat = HK$50
No gloves = HK$20
Shoes not polished = HK$20
No underpants = HK$50
White socks = HK$100

Able Seaman Frauenfelder violated each one of the above rules (not surprisingly), thus adding $340 to Operation Santa Claus.

The occasion was also used to present all Sailors of the highly successful 2008 campaign with their medals awarded by HSH Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein together with a letter of congratulations by the Reigning Prince.

The main fund raising activity of the night was the charity auction which started off with some highly sought after Navy memorabilia such as a vintage 2005 uniform, hard-to-get-by Bolle shades, stylish cufflinks by Foster’s and an out-of-print poster featuring the Navy. The second part of the auction involved Petty Officer Martin Sinclair spending $700 for not having to eat a bowl of mayonnaise while Chief Petty Officer Dave Murray finally did a roly-poly for charity. Also up for grabs were two certificates of entitlement allowing the holder to abstain from two training sessions in 2009 as well as a guaranteed crew selection seat for one heat at the 2009 Stanley Dragon Boat Championships.

The fiercest bidding however was seen in the final part of the auction, whereby the Admiralty put up sealed envelopes containing highly sensitive, embarrassing and potentially relationship ruining pictures from previous missions and Special Ops. Few Sailors were taking chances at this point and Lt Cmdr Streun was seen in a bidding frenzy against his own wife, eventually making the highest bid of the night at $1000. Petty Officer Vince on the other hand was surprised to learn that the Admiralty had obtained highly classified information involving him and a sheep!

Later, as the party moved onto the streets of Lan Kwai Fong, the Navy raised additional money by charging $100 for pictures with Sailors and any other means of coaxing money out of passers-by.

The Navy raised a total of HK$24,394 which was more than double the total from the first year and exceeded the Admiralty's target of HK$ 20,000 by over 20%. An excellent result indeed!

Congratulations to everyone involved and thank you all for your generosity!

Click here to view article in the South China Morning Post.