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June 2023
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to the June edition of Seapost, The Seafarers' Charity's e-newsletter! Get ready for exciting updates and important initiatives.
Firstly, save the date for Merchant Navy Day on 3 September. Join us in celebrating and paying tribute to our merchant seafarers, who play a vital role in keeping our supply lines open and delivering essential goods to the UK.
In this edition, we'll also reflect on the highlights from our charity’s 106th Annual Meeting, where collaboration and safety were at the forefront of our discussions. See the impact of your support and the positive difference it makes in the lives of seafarers and their communities.
Don't miss our #SafetyDrillTime competition! Participate and promote safety for a chance to win fantastic prizes. We'll provide all the details on how to get involved.
Please also join us in supporting Sarah Ready's incredible 365-day swimming challenge. By rallying behind her efforts, you can contribute to our vital work and make a real difference to fishing communities facing difficult times.
As 14th June 2023 marked the 41st Anniversary of the Falklands War, we’d like to honour all those seafarers who served in the Conflict and those that did not return. Their bravery and sacrifice will forever be remembered.
Looking ahead, join #TeamSeafarersKGFS at the prestigious London Marathon 2024. Lace-up your running shoes, raise funds for The Seafarers' Charity, and directly impact the lives of seafarers.
In this edition, you can also take a virtual visit to Mariner's Park, where our largest grant supports accommodation services for retired mariners. See the exceptional facilities and learn about the exciting future plans.
Lastly, meet the dedicated team at The Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution, one of our long-standing beneficiary charities, who work tirelessly to support bereaved families and provide financial assistance. Hear firsthand how your support eases their burdens.
For more information and resources, please visit our website. We appreciate your continued support and hope you enjoy reading this edition of Seapost.
Best wishes,
Luca Selvaggio
Editor
SAVE THE DATE! Join us in celebrating the faces behind the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day
On Sunday 3rd September 2023, we invite you to join us in paying tribute to our merchant seafarers, past and present.
Merchant Navy Day is a special occasion where town halls, company offices, and official buildings across the country raise the Red Ensign, the emblem of Britain's Merchant Navy, in honour of these brave individuals.
This year, let's come together to celebrate the people behind the flag—the men and women who have served or are currently serving as merchant seafarers. Their unwavering dedication kept supply lines open during the World Wars, and they continue to be vital key workers, ensuring the delivery of essential goods to the UK.
While their contributions have been acknowledged by the Royal Family, merchant seafarers often don't receive the wider recognition and support they deserve. That's why Merchant Navy Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude and appreciation for their important role.
Join us in shining a light on the faces behind the flag and let's express our heartfelt thanks to the merchant seafarers who have made sacrifices for our nation.
Stay tuned for more updates on how you can get involved and make a difference on this significant day. Together, we can make Merchant Navy Day 2023 a memorable and meaningful event.
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh recognised maritime charities at The Seafarers' Charity's 106th Annual Meeting
On 28th June, we were honoured to host our 106th Annual Meeting at the historic Watermen's Hall, where our charity's President, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, joined us in recognising the vital work of seafarers and emphasising the importance of their safety at sea.
During the event, our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, announced new safety initiatives, including a maritime safety podcast by CHIRP Maritime and partnerships with the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and Lloyd's Register Foundation. We are committed to improving seafarers' safety.
Congratulations to the recipients of the President's Awards: ISWAN, CHIRP Maritime, and Fishing into the Future, who made outstanding contributions to seafarers' welfare and safety through collaboration and innovation.
We also bid farewell to our dedicated trustee, Jeremy Monroe, who served for 10 years and played a key role in shaping our grant-making strategy. Jeremy's contributions were recognised with an esteemed award presented by The Duke of Edinburgh.
A heartfelt thank you to our guests, including funded charities, loyal supporters, senior leaders from the fishing industry and esteemed funding partners, for their continuous support. Together, we are making a difference in the working lives and safety of seafarers.
The impact of your support
Thanks to your generous donations, we have been able to make a significant impact in supporting seafarers and their families. In 2023 to-date, your donations helped us to:
- Award 30 grants
- Support 25 organisations
- Award £1.2m in total funding
Click the button below to learn about the most recent grants awarded.
Get involved in our #SafetyDrillTime competition
We are once again celebrating Maritime Safety Week (3-7 July) with our #SafetyDrillTime competition and are calling on everyone who works at sea to get involved by practising and improving their crew muster drill.
There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs, including the 2023 Safety Champions plaque, £500 cash, 5 XTRATUF vouchers worth £150 each, and the winning fishing crew will be featured in Fishing News.
Support Sarah Ready's swimming challenge
The bureaucracy faced by fishers has had a significant impact on their mental health. Sarah has taken it upon herself to raise funds for fishing charities that provide crucial support and assistance within these communities.
Support Sarah as she takes on the incredible feat of swimming daily for 365 days to support our work. By supporting her challenge, you can make a difference in the lives of fishers facing difficult times.
Remembering all seafarers who served in the Falklands Conflict
On 11 June, during The Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving, we paid tribute to the brave seafarers who lost their lives in the Falklands Conflict.
In their memory, we placed a wreath and a plaque in the Memorial Garden of the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel in Pangbourne.
'To all those, especially Merchant and Royal Navy, who gave their lives for the Falkland Islands.' - The Seafarers' Charity
Lace Up for a Cause: Join #TeamSeafarersKGFS at London Marathon 2024
The announcement for London Marathon 2024's ballot places is scheduled for 6th July. We are thrilled to let you know that you can now apply to secure your spot and join #TeamSeafarersKGFS!
By participating in the London Marathon 2024 as part of #TeamSeafarersKGFS, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference in seafarers' lives. To reserve your place in this extraordinary event, apply through our online application process. Places are limited, so don't delay!
A visit to Mariner's Park, representing our largest grant
On 16th June, one of our trustees, Martyn EJ Gray (Executive Officer at Nautilus International), gave Louise Parkin (our Head of Grants) a tour of Mariner's Park. The Seafarers' Charity supports the Nautilus Welfare Fund, the charity behind the Park which offers accommodation and services for retired mariners in a stunning location overlooking the Mersey. In addition to our support for their Caseworker Service, which assists mariners in maximising their independence by accessing local housing, health and social care services, we also provide funding for a top-up in care home fees for ten beds and a part-time
physiotherapy post at Mariner's Park. This comprehensive support package represents our largest grant.
'It was great to see the exceptional facilities at the Seafarers UK Centenary Wing and meet Andy Jones, Director of Welfare & Care, who shared their exciting plans for new on-site developments, adding much-needed accommodation as demand for their services grows.' - Louise Parkin
Meet The Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution's team
On 16 June, our Head of Grants, Louise Parkin, and Trustee, Martyn EJ Gray, also visited the Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution and met their team. For over a century, the charity has been helping those families who have lost a seafaring parent – originally through an orphanage, but always with a focus on ensuring the children’s education was a priority. It was great to meet Mike Finn (pictured left) and Tricia Guttormsen (centre) who liaise with and support the bereaved families through direct financial contributions funded in part by a generous grant from The Seafarers'
Charity. We were joined by their Chair, Ian Higby, to hear about their vision for the future and they shared letters from the families about how the support has eased the financial and emotional burden of losing a parent or partner. One recipient wrote:
'Since I lost my wife, I have had the hardest time of my life and would not have coped without the financial help.. What you do for my family is truly amazing.'
