Off-shore riggers raise more than $11K for Exmouth groups

Three not-for-profit organisations in Exmouth have received more than $11,000 in funding as the result of a raffle held by workers on an offshore oil rig.

The crew of ENSCO DPS1, contracted to Woodside’s Greater Enfield project 50km off the Exmouth coast, arranged the raffle over Christmas.

Last week, the Exmouth Playgroup, Gymnastics and PCYC Little Athletics clubs were presented with their cheques.

Chief steward Shane Evans said the crew sold 233 tickets for $50 each, totalling $11,650 raised.

“The decision to run the raffle was a collective agreement by the crew because we wanted to give back to the local community,” he said.

The business partners onboard donated prizes worth more than $10,000 in total, includingmountain bikes, Engels, V8 Hot Lap vouchers, drones, tablets and outdoor speakers.

Mr Evans said most of the crew had children, so they wanted to do something for the kids of Exmouth.

“We don’t spend time in Exmouth as we fly up and straight out to the rig,” he said.

“There is an incentive for us to stay in town but most of us want to go home and see our families, so this was the least we can do given we’re working off the coast.”