End of Financial Year Appeal

Thank you so much for your very kind and generous support over the past financial year. There is no doubt that through your generosity you have helped us keep HOPE alive for so many.

The definition of HOPE – an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events or circumstances in one’s life. HOPE is the power to believe that anything is possible.

Throughout our lives situations impact us, it may be a change in direction which is beyond our control. We have all been somewhere when we would rather have been somewhere else and we have all experienced situations when we ‘HOPE things will get better’ or ‘HOPE our situation
will change and become more positive’. In many cases we rely on others to affect this change.

The 1.89m seafarers who transport our goods and fuels are doing so because they believe that the sacrifices they make will make their lives better. Some seafarers of course go to sea to see the world, and many are proud master mariners who have chosen this career path for reasons of achievement. But all are reliant on others, including the Mission to be there in times of need. All, I am sure, look forward to the end of their contracts, all HOPE and wish for the days to pass, so they can see their families again. Life at sea is isolating, with limited numbers on board, and no social life to speak of.

Although Internet is purported available to 90% of ships, it is fewer than 57% of seafarers who have access to emails, and less than 34% to social media and only 6% to video conferencing. Imagine not being able to see your family for months.

Many HOPE they will meet a Port Chaplain when they dock who will ease the pathway through the port to the nearest shops or tourist attractions, so they can have a sense of normality which breaks the monotony of ship life. Chaplains also provide mental support, someone to listen to, a friend in a foreign land.

Reconnecting with Family – When I received the SIM card from the Mission to Seafarers, I cried. It had been three months since I last saw my daughter’s face. That call reminded me why I work so hard. – Joseph, Filipino Seafarer.

Your donations have helped us to undertake 11,300 shopping trips equating to almost US$1m in value, purchases from toothpaste to TVs, KFCs and pizzas also being popular treats.

Your donations have helped families who are struggling to cope with separation when their seafarers are away for so long – up to 9 months of the year, signposting them to specialist services.

Your donations have helped us deliver safeTALK training, so that 8,000 more seafarers are suicide aware and can spot signs of potential suicide amongst their fellow crew members, saving lives.

Your kind and generous support has brought HOPE to the lives of those our Chaplains meet every day of the year.

Your donations during the year have enabled our Chaplains to be present in the 200 ports to be there when seafarers need us.

Our Global Impact Report for 2024 clearly shows the incredible difference your donations have made.

Access to Justice – A crew in West Africa contacted our chaplain after months of unpaid wages and poor conditions. We intervened, negotiated with local authorities, and helped secure their back pay and safe return home.

We know you will receive many appeals from charities, and yet you have chosen The Mission to Seafarers to support. We don’t take your donations for granted, we know you have a choice, and we are so very grateful that you have chosen us to support. Seafarers are the forgotten, unsung heroes upon we all depend – in fact for more than 92% of our goods and fuels we use. Astounding facts aren’t they!

So, as we continue our journey to bring HOPE to seafarers for the coming financial year, we ask you to continue with us, to be part of this amazing charity, and know that you are really affecting impact and change. Your donations are always much appreciated.

Help us to keep HOPE alive, today, tomorrow and always by making a donation today.
With grateful thanks for all your support,

Jan Webber

Director of Development

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If you would like to support the work we do, please click on the button below to donate to this appeal.

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