Two women are setting off in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Race on a mission on Boxing Day, not just to complete the 627-nautical miles passage safely but also to use the event to raise awareness for breast cancer research.

Alison Thompson and Jakki Moores from the Sydney 38 Dodo, which is being skippered by Adrian Dunphy, hope to raise more than $5,000 for a cause that affects a lot of families.

Family and friends have already pledged donations via the official site: http://www.nbcf.org.au and the two women hope the general public will support them by sponsoring them per mile with 100 per cent of proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.