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April 2023
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to the April edition of Seapost, The Seafarers' Charity's e-newsletter.
Amid these challenging times, we’re launching our Spring Appeal to highlight our essential efforts in supporting seafarers and their families during crisis. Please support us in helping to fund the most immediate needs of seafarers now and in the months ahead.
In this issue, we are delighted to announce that 19 runners will participate in this Sunday's 2023 London Marathon to raise funds for The Seafarers' Charity. We’re also pleased to announce funding for Salute Her UK, a new service that provides support to women seafarers who have experienced sexual trauma while working at sea.
We are also proud to have been shortlisted for Safety4Sea's Crew Welfare Diversity and Inclusion Award for focusing on the welfare needs of women on cargo ships.
Additionally, we’d like to share heart-warming news of our Easter eggs delivery, spreading joy to seafarers in Southampton who were unable to celebrate with their families.
Finally, we invite you to follow Mark Ashley-Miller's incredible Harbour Master Sailing Challenge as he sails around the UK in support of The Seafarers' Charity.
We appreciate your continued support and hope you enjoy reading this edition of Seapost.
Best wishes,
Luca Selvaggio
Editor
Times are tough for most of us, and they aren’t getting any easier right now.
By the very nature of their work, seafarers are often invisible to the 'man on the street', but they are still there and their needs are as real as those of more visible groups. That is why, with support from people who care, such as yourself, we have been able in the last two years to:
- Award £4m in funding
- Support 93 organisations working with every kind of seafarer
- Award over ¾ of our grants to UK maritime welfare services
- Give grants to 17 organisations for the first time
Last year, we ended with a strong level of grant-giving thanks to you. We highlighted key areas of need and reacted quickly. Your support keeps us agile in turbulent times. With continued, vital support from you and our other incredible donors, we can keep funding the most immediate needs of seafarers now and in the months ahead.
19 runners gear up to take on the 2023 London Marathon for The Seafarers' Charity
The countdown is on! On Sunday 23 April, 19 runners will participate in the 2023 London Marathon to raise funds for The Seafarers' Charity. This iconic event attracts runners from all over the world, and it's inspiring to see these individuals commit to making a difference in the lives of seafarers and their families.
For these runners, the London Marathon is more than just a physical challenge, but also an opportunity to make a real difference to seafarers at times of need. We encourage everyone to show their support for these incredible #TeamSeafarersKGFS runners.
New funding for Salute Her UK to support women who've experienced sexual trauma at sea
At The Seafarers' Charity, we have announced funding for Salute Her, a new service aiming to provide women-centric therapy and trauma counselling to women seafarers and those working in fishing who have experienced sexual trauma while working at sea.
Support our nomination for the Safety4Sea's Crew Welfare Diversity and Inclusion Award
Exciting news! We've been shortlisted for the Safety4Sea's Crew Welfare Diversity & Inclusion Award for focusing on the welfare needs of women on cargo ships. It's great to see our hard work recognised. You can support our nomination by casting your vote.
Follow Mark Ashley-Miller's Harbour Master Sailing Challenge in Support of The Seafarers' Charity
On Saturday 15 April, Mark Ashley-Miller set off from Portland to continue his epic challenge to sail around the UK to meet every Harbour Master along the way.
Thanks to Inland & Coastal Marina Systems' generous donation, Mark's challenge has received a valuable boost. As Mark sets sail on this incredible journey, he hopes to increase awareness of safety at sea and raise much-needed funds for seafarers in need and their families.
Northern Ireland set to improve fishing safety and supply chain transparency
The fishing fleet in Northern Ireland will benefit from a new Fishing First Safety Management project from The Seafarers’ Charity aimed at improving fishing safety and supply chain transparency.
This project's objective is to make fishing safer for all by ensuring vessels operate legally and crew have access to decent work. The new project will audit up to 30 vessels’ safety management systems. This includes ensuring decent living and working conditions, maintaining appropriate labour standards and support for the human rights of all crew.
The Seafarers' Charity spreads Easter joy to seafarers in Southampton
On 11 April, two new members of our Impact Team visited Stella Maris to deliver Easter eggs to seafarers visiting the port. Louise Parkin (Head of Grants) and Mtonya Jarrett (2027 Impact Associate) were kindly hosted by Jonathan Heard (Head of Major Gifts) and his colleagues Charles and Geoffrey, who visit ships and their crews on the frontline. We are so proud of them!
Louise says: 'At the time of our visit, their office was full of Easter eggs generously donated by local schoolchildren. We had the pleasure of visiting some of the ships in port to share the eggs with crews who may celebrate Easter but were at sea, so missed this special time with their families.'
