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Dear Supporter,

Last year, our grants programme awarded £2.5m in total funding to 50 organisations and projects helping seafarers in need and their families. Click here to learn more about our work, see who we have funded over the past year and and learn how we have been supporting future seafarers and improving the health and wellbeing of fishermen, below.

This month 23 Seafarers UK runners will take to the streets of the capital for the famous Virgin Money London Marathon. We're excited to have Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of UK Chamber of Shipping in our team, who has surpassed £8,000 in his fundraising attempt to reach £10,000. Sponsor Bob to help him reach his target. Hugh Bonner, an ex-fisherman and owner of fishing magazine 'The Skipper' will also be joining our team. Watch an interview he recorded with our Corporate Fundraising Manager, Mairéad Ní Cheoínin, about his preparation for the marathon and sponsor him here.

We thank all our runners for their commitment to fundraising and training over the past few months and look forward to cheering them on Sunday 28 April. 

Best wishes,

Laura Gineitaite, Editor

The 24 Peaks Challenge, 6-7 July

This challenge will test and reward you equally, being one of the toughest and most empowering corporate team events. Hike 24 peaks across 31 miles in 24 hours. Sign up today to join us and start your training! Required: Teams of 4-7 walkers, a non-walking support crew/driver, plus team spirit and determination. Find out more and register your team.

Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, 4 August

Take on this incredible and unique 100 mile challenge, riding on closed roads through the capital and Surrey, on the same route the professionals will be racing on. Join our team and cycle to support seafarers in need and their families and make every mile count. Sign up now.

Funding to Improve the Health and Wellbeing of Fishermen

Seafarers UK is funding SeaFit, a joint initiative from the Seafarers Hospital Society and the Fishermen’s Mission, working in partnership to deliver sustainable improvements in the health and wellbeing of fishermen and their families around the UK. Read more about this project.

Sailor to Circumnavigate the UK in Aid of Seafarers UK

Retired businessman Mark Ashley-Miller, 56, set out from Dartmouth on 29 March to circumnavigate the UK and visit every Harbour Master on an epic two-year voyage in support of Seafarers UK. He is raising money for the charity and awareness of men’s mental health in the maritime industry. Read more, follow his journey on Instagram and click here to sponsor him. 

Supporting Future Seafarers

Seafarers UK has been proudly supporting future seafarers by providing bursaries to promising students with a maritime background who are keen to pursue a career in commercial yachts via the prestigious Professional Yacht Cadetship programme at UK Sailing Academy. Our Grants Director, Deborah Layde, was pleased to attend the graduation of seven students funded by Seafarers UK.

See which projects and organisations our grant-funding programme has been supporting in 2017-2018.

Our Condolences

We are sad to announce that President and past Chairman of Seafarers UK's Guildford Committee, Reg Miles died on 19 February at the age of 95 having served on the Committee for over 25 years and until quite recently, continuing to play an active part. Reg did a great deal for Seafarers UK and will be much missed by his many friends and colleagues. 

In 2018 our grants programme awarded £2.5m in total funding to 50 organisations and projects helping seafarers in need and their families.