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July 2024
Dear Supporter,
Due to a technical glitch, the links in the previous version of the July edition of Seapost, The Seafarers' Charity's e-newsletter, were incorrect. Please accept our sincere apologies. You can find the corrected version below.
Welcome to the July edition of Seapost, The Seafarers' Charity's e-newsletter. We’re excited to share our latest updates with you.
First, we would like to congratulate all the participants of our flagship event, the 24 Peaks Challenge, held on July 6-7 in the Lake District. Their remarkable efforts and fundraising achievements have made a significant difference in the lives of seafarers and their families. If you haven’t had a chance yet, there’s still time to show your support and celebrate their success.
Also this month, our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, attended a Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, where His Majesty King Charles III, Her Majesty Queen Camilla, and The Seafarers’ Charity's President, Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, were present. Additionally, we were proud to be the official charity partner at the UK Chamber of Shipping Summer Lunch, also held in Scotland, at the magnificent Signet Library in Edinburgh.
Deborah Layde also joined the Diversity and Inclusion Panel at the Isle of Man Maritime Conference. The panel provided valuable insights into the need for diversity within the maritime industry and discussed the mental health impacts on minorities, emphasising the importance of a supportive environment for all maritime professionals.
Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for Merchant Navy Day on Tuesday, 3 September. On this significant day, we will be calling on organisations, communities, and individuals across the UK to fly the Red Ensign, physically or digitally, in honour of our Merchant Navy seafarers.
We are also excited to host the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul's Cathedral, London, on 9 October. This event, organised with Trinity House, is open to everyone and will celebrate the invaluable contributions of seafarers worldwide.
If you missed out on a ballot place for the London Marathon 2025, we have great news - you can now secure a spot with #TeamSeafarersKGFS.
Lastly, we’re thrilled to announce that the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has generously donated £30,000 to support young yacht crew trainees. This donation will fund six additional bursaries for those pursuing UKSA’s Superyacht Cadetship Course, providing crucial support for aspiring young seafarers.
We sincerely appreciate your unwavering support and hope you enjoy reading this edition of Seapost.
Best wishes,
Luca Selvaggio
Editor
SAVE THE DATE - Join us in celebrating the people behind the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day
We are calling on organisations, communities, and individuals across the UK to honour the people behind the Merchant Navy Flag by flying the Red Ensign, whether physically or digitally, on Merchant Navy Day, Tuesday, 3 September. Please join us in paying tribute to our merchant seafarers, past and present.
On Merchant Navy Day, town halls, company offices, and official buildings nationwide will raise the Red Ensign, the emblem of Britain's Merchant Navy, in recognition of the often forgotten but hard-working Merchant Navy seafarers. This special occasion celebrates the men and women who have served or are currently serving as merchant seafarers. Their unwavering dedication kept our supply lines open during the World Wars, and today they continue to be vital key workers, ensuring the delivery of essential goods to the UK.
These hardworking individuals don’t always get the wider recognition or support they deserve. On Tuesday, 3 September, we have an opportunity to come together to recognise the important role merchant seafarers play – and to say ‘thank you.’
Stay tuned for more updates on how you can get involved and make a difference on this significant day. We look forward to your support for our campaign this year and will keep you updated as our plans are finalised.
Congratulations to all 24 Peaks Challenge participants!
A huge thank you to the teams from across the maritime sector for their incredible participation and fundraising efforts. Your dedication and hard work are truly inspiring and have made a significant impact on the lives of seafarers and their families.
Special congratulations to our award winners:
🏆 Top Fundraiser — Robert Wester
🏆 Top Fundraising Team — Port of Aberdeen
🏆 Fastest Team — Braemar
🏆 Spirit of the 24 Peaks — Friday & Co. Shipbrokers and WIND
🏆 Best Fundraising Idea — A.P. Moller - Maersk
Visit our Facebook album to access the event photos.
There is still time to donate: celebrate the success of those completing the Challenge and contribute to our cause.
Deborah Layde joins the Diversity and Inclusion Panel at the Isle of Man Maritime Conference
On 19 July, our Chief Executive Deborah Layde joined the Diversity and Inclusion Panel at the Isle of Man Maritime Conference - a significant event that brought maritime professionals together to discuss key industry issues.
The panel explored the vital need for diversity in the maritime industry and the benefits of a multicultural crew. They addressed the challenges of promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion, and offered practical solutions. Additionally, they discussed the mental health impacts on minorities, highlighting the importance of a supportive environment for all crew members.
Did you miss out on a ballot place for London Marathon 2025? Secure your spot today!
We are thrilled to let you know that you can now apply to secure your spot and join #TeamSeafarersKGFS.
We still have a limited number of charity places in the London Marathon 2025, taking place on 27 April next year.
We would love for you to join #TeamSeafarersKGFS and raise funds to help seafarers and their families in need. To reserve your place in this extraordinary event, apply through our online application process. Places are limited, so don’t delay!
Annual National Service for Seafarers returns to St Paul's Cathedral on 9 October
The Annual National Service for Seafarers, organised by The Seafarers’ Charity and Trinity House, is set to return to St Paul's Cathedral, London on Wednesday 9 October at 5 pm.
The Annual National Service for Seafarers is open to all, and it's free to attend. Register below to join us for this extraordinary event that celebrates and honours the invaluable contributions of seafarers worldwide.
Stelios Philanthropic Foundation enhances support for young yacht crew trainees
We are thrilled to announce that the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has enhanced its support for young yacht crew trainees with a generous donation of £30,000 to The Seafarers’ Charity.
This new donation will fund six additional bursaries, providing crucial support for young people with a seafaring background who would otherwise be unable to afford UKSA’s Superyacht Cadetship Course.
Our presence in Scotland
On 2 July, The Seafarers’ Charity was delighted to be the official charity partner at the UK Chamber of Shipping Summer Lunch held at the magnificent Signet Library in Edinburgh. This year's event saw a record turnout of 220 guests from over 100 companies and organisations. It was a fantastic opportunity to network and discuss how we can collectively drive positive impact in the maritime community. We were especially pleased to collaborate with the UK Chamber of Shipping, as ‘People’ are a key priority in uniting shipping. By supporting seafarers through The Seafarers’ Charity, the wider maritime community supports seafarers of every profession. Thank you for the generous donations, which help us continue to be the ‘ecosystem of support’ for seafarers, delivering wider benefits across the maritime sector.
On the same day, our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, had the honour of being invited by The Lord Chamberlain, commanded by His Majesty, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh for a Garden Party attended by His Majesty King Charles III, Her Majesty Queen Camilla, and The Seafarers’ Charity's President, Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh. Deborah invited Elspeth Macdonald, CEO of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, to join her at this prestigious event. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our collective efforts and dedication to supporting the fishing industry in Scotland.
