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Dear Supporter
Welcome to the first edition of Seapost in 2022.
We have a lot of exciting plans brewing for the year ahead and can't wait to share these with you over the coming months. After two years of cancellations due to COVID-19, our challenge events are finally taking place. You can now make your New Year's resolutions a reality by joining our upcoming events whilst raising vital funds to help those who work at sea and their families.
Unfortunately, the ongoing pandemic and surging cases of Omicron are causing yet more uncertainty to seafarers and once again complicating crew changes. Thanks to supporters like you, we have been able to continue funding essential services for keyworkers at sea and ashore. But the crisis is far from over.
We're writing to you on the third Monday of January, also known as 'the most difficult day of the year’ or 'Blue Monday'. However, good or bad days are not decided by a calendar. Our support reaches seafarers in need and their families all year round and we thank you for supporting our work to make this possible. Read more about our impact in 2021 on our website and how you can get involved, below.
Best wishes,
Luca Selvaggio
Editor
Our seafarers are our lifeline
Thanks to the kind donations of our supporters, our Winter Appeal, launched to support seafarers who have worked tirelessly to keep nations supplied, has already raised £7,772. If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, there is still time to get involved and support the appeal.
If you have already made a donation, we thank you for your kind generosity.
Our Impact in 2021
In an exceptionally uncertain year, your donations helped to award more than 70 grants, totalling over £2.9m to 43 organisations supporting seafarers across the UK and internationally and we thank you for your support.
In March 2021, The Seafarers' Charity developed an outcomes-focused strategy which aimed to strengthen support to seafarers. 'Thrive' set out an ambitious strategy for further reducing deprivation and need among all who work at sea by focusing on five key strategic outcomes:
- Enhanced financial resilience
- Better working lives at sea
- Improved health and well-being
- Raised safety standards and practices
- Increased social justice
To continue our mission tackling the disadvantages of a seafaring life, we worked throughout 2021 to also carry out more influencing work, including research and advocacy projects, and launched Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) in collaboration with leading maritime welfare charities and industry players, which raised more than $1m for seafarers and their families affected by COVID-19 in India and the Philippines.
Congratulations to our trustee Natalie Shaw
The Seafarers’ Charity congratulates our trustee, Natalie Shaw on the announcement that she has received an MBE.
Natalie Shaw, on receiving her MBE, said:
'I am delighted to receive this MBE. I share this recognition with many colleagues from across the industry who have worked with me over the last two years. I also pay tribute to those involved in practical support of seafarers, including the unions, seafarers’ missions, shipping companies and members of the International Maritime Health Association.'
The 24 Peaks Challenge is back for 2022!
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd July 2022
The Seafarers’ Charity is delighted to announce that after two years of cancellations due to COVID-19, the much-loved event is back with some exciting changes and registrations are now open.
Use code 24PEAKS50 to get an exclusive £50 registration fee discount if you sign up before Friday 11 February.
‘There is a great atmosphere in the teams and at YHA Ambleside, the magnificent scenery, the changing and challenging conditions and the fact that it is supporting a great charitable cause.’ - Asbjorn Kops, Maersk
Play our lottery for a chance to win up to £25,000!
The Seafarers' Charity has partnered with The Unity Lottery to help raise vital funds for seafarers in need and their families, while giving you the chance to win £25,000, plus many other fantastic cash prizes, each week.
Looking for another challenge in 2022?
The Seafarers’ Charity has places available at some fantastic events all around the country:
· Bath Half Marathon – 13 March
· Brighton Marathon – 10 April
· Ride London – 29 May
· Edinburgh Marathon – 29 May
· London Marathon – 2 October
If you would like further information about any of the events above, please visit The Seafarers’ Charity website here or if you have any questions about entering a team, please contact events@theseafarerscharity.org or call 020 7932 5960.
