The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society is proud to launch its annual Seafarers Support Week today, which will run from 1-7 July.
The Society is committed to this annual campaign to promote and highlight the plight of serving and retired seafarers, as well as raising awareness of the dangers and sacrifices faced by those who work at sea. This includes recognising the vital contribution the maritime and fishing industries play in allowing us to preserve our standard of living.
During Seafarers Support Week, the charity has set itself the challenging target of raising an additional £35,000 which will allow it to provide much needed assistance to individuals and families who in many cases simply have nowhere else to turn.
Recently we have commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings – the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of France, and the rest of Western Europe, and laid the foundations for the Allied victory on the Western Front.
During the six years of conflict during WW2 the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society made a unique and significant contribution to the lives of thousands of survivors of shipwreck; not just sailors but soldiers, airmen, nurses and civilians who were landed at British ports after being rescued – particularly during the Battle of the Atlantic.
In 1941 at Greenock alone the Society helped 3,120 survivors from 311 ships; in 1942 it was 4,357 from 288 ships and in 1943, 3,680 from 252 ships, and that was just one port. There were 21 others!
In fact, the numbers of people the Charity assisted in WW2 are quite remarkable and this included fishermen and their dependants. More than 60,600 Seamen, 6,600 Widows, 8,000 Orphans and 4,100 Aged parents were helped.
The immediate assistance provided to survivors arriving back in Britain was for clothing, food, accommodation and rail passes to get them back to their loved ones.
Fast forward 80 years since the D-Day Landings and the past 12 months have again demonstrated the importance and necessity of the Society’s work. We received nearly 800 new applications for assistance and distributed grants totalling £1.3 million in just under 2000 cases of need. The funds are used to finance medical equipment and support those suffering long-term illness and disability; to provide financial respite for young families whose main income has been lost or greatly reduced; to provide household repairs and meet the funeral costs for a seafarer whose family are unable to meet the expense.
It is due to the loyalty and kind heartedness of our supporters that we are able to continue our important work, and we appreciate anything you can give this Seafarers Support Week.
To support the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society’s work please consider making a donation here: www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk/donate or alternatively post to: Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Dept SSW, 1 North Pallant, Chichester PO19 1TL
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Jamie Stickler will be competing in the Dawn to Dusk 24-hour solo marathon motorcycle race for the Society on 26/27 August in the Brecon Beacons.
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A big shout-out to Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society Trustee, Ruth Charles, who’s raised a fantastic £750 with Gift Aid, from her participation in the Great South Run on Sunday 16th October.Find Out More
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A big shout out to our friends at Lyme Bay Boats, who raised a magnificent £6,450 for the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society at their 2022 ‘Jolly Day’ for customers, friends and families, held in Lyme Regis back in August. Find Out More
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As valued supporters of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society I would like to draw your attention to the Society’s annual Seafarers Support Week, 20 – 26 June.Find Out More
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Military historian, author and YouTuber, Mark Felton, has created a new video exploring the history of the WW2 sea mines that the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society now use as collection boxes.
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With many fundraising events unfortunately postponed or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many charities across the UK need public support now more than ever.
The #TwoPointSixChallenge is launching on Sunday 26 April – the day the London Marathon was scheduled to take place – and encourages individuals of all ages to take on a personal challenge to raise money for a charity of their choice.
There is no need to be a marathon runner to take part – this is a challenge for all ages and abilities. Just get thinking of an activity based around the numbers 26 or 2.6 and complete it on or from Sunday April 26.
It could be something as simple as running 2.6 miles, 26 minutes of yoga, or juggling for 26 minutes – or on second thoughts, maybe just 2.6 minutes!
And don’t worry if you’re not able to get out your house or flat for now. We’re not looking for superheroes – we’re looking for Home Heroes.
There are no rules (apart from the Government guidelines on how to exercise safely during this time). Whatever you can do, you can be part of it – the main thing is getting active, having fun and donating whatever you can to help save the UK’s charities.
For challenge idea inspiration, to donate or to set up a fundraising page of your own go to: https://twopointsixchallenge.justgiving.com/inspiration and search for Shipwrecked Fishermen and. Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society.
We appreciate any support we receive at this time – do let us know on social media if you’re taking part by visiting @ShipwreckedSoc on Twitter or Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society on Facebook.
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A recent exhibition of maritime paintings was organised by brothers, Ben and Matthew Wedgwood, in memory of their late father, William Wedgwood; a long-time supporter of the Society and keen marine artist who exhibited his work each year at the Old Coastguard Station in Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire.
Members of the Wedgwood family have also long looked after – and continue to look after – the Society’s ex-WW11 Collecting Mine sited at Robin Hood’s Bay.
The exhibition generated funds to the value of more than £3,400 for the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society and we are so grateful for this tremendous level of support which will be put to very good use supporting those from the fishing and maritime community who are suffering hardship and distress.
Our sincere thanks to the Wedgwood family for their continued support of this Charity’s work.
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Operating out of Lyme Regis, Lyme Bay Boats has successfully raised more than £1,500 for national maritime charity, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, following its annual ‘Jolly Day Out’.
More than 60 people attended the event despite appalling weather conditions forcing the usual boating, fishing and swimming to be cancelled, with the day instead filled with food, drink, games and enjoyable conversation.
The annual charity auction was held in the evening – in aid of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society – where generous donations of prizes and bids saw the total funds raised surpass £1,500 for the Chichester-based charity.
On Tuesday 23 September at a reception held at The Harbour Inn, Lyme Regis, Jamie McNeil, Director of Lyme Bay Boats, presented a cheque for £1,519.77 to Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Captain Justin Osmond RN, for the charity to continue its work supporting fishermen, merchant mariners and their dependants who are suffering financial hardship.
Also attending was the Society’s volunteer Honorary Agent, John Wason and his wife Claire. For 28 years John has done a terrific job looking after the Society’s large WWII collecting mine at Lyme Regis harbour.
Discussing the ‘Jolly Day Out’, Jamie said: “Firstly I’d like to thank everyone who helped in making the day a true success despite the challenging conditions!
“The rain thankfully didn’t dampen our spirits and I think I speak on behalf of all of those in attendance when I say what an enjoyable – and indeed jolly – day it was!
“I’m extremely proud to be able to present a cheque for such a significant amount of money to a very worthwhile cause, knowing it will benefit the lives of those we share a maritime community with.”
Captain Justin Osmond added: “We are extremely grateful for the support we receive from all of those who provide us with vital funds to support our beneficiaries.
“The Society appreciates the generosity of everyone at Lyme Bay Boats and those who took part in what sounds like an extremely fun day – despite one of the wettest August days on record – and hope we can work together on further projects in the future.”
To find out more about Lyme Bay Boats, go to http://www.lymebayboats.com/.
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The Grants Manager of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has raised more than £1,400 for the organisation, having completed Sunday’s gruelling London Marathon.
Sami Raeburn, who lives in Brighton, completed the course in the hottest marathon on record in five hours and 12 minutes, comfortably surpassing her £1,000 fundraising target in the process.
On her achievement, Sami said: “I am so proud to be able to say I completed the marathon and especially for such an important cause.
“The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society carries out amazing work in providing financial and practical assistance to seafarers and their dependants in need. Thanks to everyone who sponsored me, the charity will be able to significantly impact the lives of those who need it most.”
Since 1839, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has provided financial and practical help, assistance and advice to fishermen and mariners and their dependants who have suffered hardship, misfortune or poverty, as a result of being at sea or on retirement.
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