December 2022

Dear Supporter

Welcome to the December edition of The Seafarers' Charity's e-newsletter, Seapost.

Following on from an unprecedented period which has seen seafarers’ welfare severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 has undoubtedly brought new challenges for many seafarers, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, mass P&O Ferries sackings and the cost-of-living crisis affecting seafaring communities both in the UK and internationally.

As a long term and substantial supporter of seafarers’ welfare, The Seafarers’ Charity has considerably stepped up its financial support for maritime welfare during these extremely difficult times. Over the past three years, we have awarded £10m in grants to support seafarers in need, including those affected by the pandemic and more lately the war in Ukraine. In 2022 alone, we awarded over £3m in grants to those in greatest need and are now rolling out an emergency programme to fund urgently needed support for seafarers struggling with the rising cost of living. Read on to find out more about our impact in 2022 and to support our Christmas Appeal.

In this Seapost edition, you can also read about how to buy those last-minute Christmas presents or send Christmas e-cards to family and friends, whilst supporting our cause, and also how you can join #TeamSeafarersKGFS at the 2023 TCS London Marathon.

Finally, please note that The Seafarers' Charity's office will be closed from December 24 to January 3. Our team is looking forward to some time off, to recharge the batteries after a very busy 2022, and get ready for what already seems to be another challenging year.

Wishing you a very happy festive season and a wonderful New Year!

Best wishes,
Luca Selvaggio

Editor

From everyone at The Seafarers' Charity, we would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our supporters and delivery partners. During this time of year, we take a moment to reflect upon the past year to acknowledge all those who have helped us make a difference for seafarers in need and their families. Thank you.

Will you be home for Christmas?

It's a common question asked to seafarers this time of year. Those who are working will try to wind up their contracts in time to be home with their families for Christmas, but many can't. Some may need the money. Some will have nowhere they can call home.

We are working alongside our delivery partners and supporters to deliver our innovative programme designed to provide immediate support to those seafarers and their families hit by the cost-of-living crisis, facing in-work poverty and struggling to meet the increasing costs of inflation for basic needs such as food and fuel.

We are all feeling the financial pressure right now, none of us can escape it. Which is why your generosity has that much more impact. If you're feeling generous this Christmas, please donate today. If you have already made a donation, we thank you for your kind generosity. 

The impact of your support

Thanks to your incredible support, The Seafarers’ Charity awarded £10 million in grants to support the safety and welfare of seafarers over the past three years. Most recently in 2022, your donations helped us to award more than 70 grants, totalling over £3.1m to 61 organisations.  

Our grant funding supports the core costs of some of the largest and most well-known maritime charities, who work with seafarers in the UK and internationally. Each year we award grants to support frontline organisations and projects that provide essential help for seafarers and their families in crisis. Each grant application is assessed against our core goals to ensure that your donations go to where the need is greatest.