Dear Supporter

Welcome to the February edition of Seapost.

We are sending our e-newsletter in the middle of Payroll Giving Week, which takes place from 7-13 February 2022. Payroll Giving Week is a campaign that aims to raise awareness about the benefits of donating through this easy, tax-efficient method which makes your donations go further.

In this edition of Seapost, we are also promoting our upcoming challenge events and the new website of UK Women in Fisheries - a new membership organisation to represent, support and promote women working in the UK fishing industry.

We are excited about the plans for the upcoming year. We are working on a lot of projects which we are looking forward to sharing with you. So watch this space!

Best wishes,
Luca Selvaggio

Editor

Beef from Argentina, carrots from South Africa, asparagus from Peru. Whatever’s in your lunch today, there’s a good chance that some or even all of it landed on your plate by way of a hard-working seafarer.

For more than a hundred years we have been supporting the welfare of the maritime community and we’re putting the funding where it matters most.

Give as you earn and help us support these unseen keyworkers who dedicate so much of their lives to ensuring that everything we need makes it to our shores.

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch?

On Monday 7 February, we launched a Twitter competition to test your maritime knowledge. Visit our Twitter page and look back through our posts throughout Payroll Giving Week for a chance to win a free lunch on us. Submit your answer by sending us a private message on Twitter and on Friday we’ll announce the winner.

Give as you earn - How it works

Payroll Giving is one of the most efficient ways to donate to charity because you can donate directly through your salary before it’s taxed. Your gifts go further and help hardworking seafarers and their families live dignified lives free from hardship long into the future.

When you set up a regular gift through your payroll, it’s deducted from your salary before tax, so it will cost you less. A monthly gift of £10 would only cost you £8, or £6 if you’re a higher rate taxpayer, the remainder is topped up by HMRC.

To sign up simply fill in our online form here and we’ll do the rest for you. Once it’s processed, your employer will be notified, and your donation will come out of your salary on payday.

New support for women working in fishing

The Seafarers’ Charity is funding a new membership organisation to represent, support and promote women working in the UK fishing industry.

UK Women in Fisheries is a new network for all women who work in the UK’s fishing industry. Women who are vessel owners, fleet managers, fishers, fishmongers, processors, fishing conservationists, charity workers, trainers or working in other roles in the fishing industry are invited to join and benefit from networking with other women, events, training, mentoring, resources and mutual support. There is also an online group where women can share stories, support each other and plan for the future.

The UK Women in Fisheries network will provide visibility, representation and recognition for women across the sector. It will highlight, support and promote the varied roles that women play in the UK commercial sea fishing sector - fish catching; fish supply chain; fishing businesses; fishing families; fishing organisations; government, regulation and enforcement; in knowledge production or research, wherever they may be.

The 24 Peaks Challenge is back for 2022!

Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 July 2022

We have some fantastic teams already signed up for the 24 Peaks Challenge including Carisbrooke, Friday & Co Ship Brokers, Maersk and Solent Stevedores. We are aiming for a record number of entries this year, so if your company would be interested in putting a team forward, please get in touch to express your interest.

You can find out everything you need to know on our website here.

Don’t forget that the discount code of £50 per team finishes this Friday 11 February, so sign-up now with the code 24PEAKS50

The Seafarers' Charity celebrates the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

On 6 February 2022, HM The Queen became the first British monarch to mark a Platinum Jubilee. 70 years ago, she also became our Patron following the steps of King George V who founded The Seafarers' Charity in 1917.

We look forward to celebrating this unique occasion in June. Watch this space!

Looking for another challenge in 2022?

The Seafarers’ Charity has places available at some fantastic events all around the country.

· Ride London – Essex 100 - Sunday 29 May

We have a limited number of charity places available in the Ride London 2022 and would love for you to join #TeamSeafarersKGFS and help us raise vital funds to help seafarers and their families in need.

Ride London 2022, the world’s greatest festival of cycling, returns on Sunday 29 May 2022, with a new format, exciting new routes and a new partnership with Essex County Council. Registration fee: £35; Minimum fundraising pledge: £550

You can sign-up here.

· London Marathon – Sunday 2 October

Ballot results are being released for the London Marathon this week. Good luck to everyone waiting for their result!

If you are unsuccessful, we have a limited number of charity places available so you can be part of our team. Registration Fee: £100; Minimum Fundraising Pledge: £1,750

You can sign-up here

· Bath Half Marathon – 13 March

· Brighton Marathon – 10 April

· Edinburgh Marathon – 29 May

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.