Sailors Charity Celebrates Centenary

UK – Celebrating its centenary today is Seafarers UK, a charity set up in the midst of World War One to assist families of seafarers lost or injured at sea, a mission that has changed little since. Seafarers UK has played a vital role over the past 100 years to provide both current and former seafarers from the Merchant Navy, Fishing Fleets, Royal Navy and Royal Marines, along with their families, a huge range of services ranging from care and accommodation for ex-seafarers to providing young people with the training needed for a potential career at sea.

Charting the charity’s history, a ‘Centenary Timeline’ identifies milestone activities and the role of key individuals, including King George V who gave his name to what was originally known simply as the Sailors’ Fund. Rebranded Seafarers UK in 2005 the charity gives grants to help people in the maritime community.

In 2016 alone, Seafarers UK delivered £2.57 million in total funding, awarding 103 grants to 69 organisations and helping over 185,000 people in need and their families. Most beneficiaries are still from the UK and Commonwealth countries, although some grants go towards facilities – such as port-based centres – used by other international seafarers. Former Head of the Royal Navy Admiral Lord West of Spithead said:

“Congratulations to Seafarers UK on reaching its Centenary. The make-up and capability of the UK’s maritime sector has changed dramatically since 1917, and whilst we are still very much an island nation with serving seafarers in the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, the numbers of those actively involved is reducing every year.

“Within this context, there is a very important and continued role for Seafarers UK to play, both in helping to raise awareness of the need for, and existence of, training and job opportunities in the maritime sector, and in helping those still serving, but increasingly veterans and ex-seafarers, who have fallen on hard times, and their families.”

Seafarers UK receives no Government funding and is heavily dependent on donations, legacies and corporate support to continue giving grants of £2.5 million every year.