The Hong Kongshipping community turned out in force and dug deep to support the second Sailors’ Society gala fundraising dinner at the Island Shangri-La Hotel ballroom last week, held in aid of merchant seafarers suffering hardship around the world.

An exciting ‘e-pledge’ contest on the night raised HK$250,000 (US$32,000), enough to sustain the charity’s ship-visiting chaplain in Manila with his work with seafarers and families in the metropolitan area for an entire year.

In addition, sponsorship and general fundraising through auctions on the evening topped HK$1 million (US$129,000) to help fund similar Sailors’ Society welfare projects round the globe.

“Once again, we were overwhelmed on the night by the incredible response from theHong Kongshipping community who donated some serious money, despite the downturn in the maritime sector. Their generosity boosts our operating funds and means we can continue our vital work to support seafarers in need around the world,” said Robert Adams, outgoing CEO of the Sailors’ Society.

“Events like this can only be put on through the significant amount of encouragement and prime sponsorship that we receive in Hong Kong fromPacificBasinand the Noble Group. We are also very grateful to Clarkson Asia and Gulf Oil Marine for the additional financial support, which assisted us in hosting this event. Their long-term support is crucial to sustaining our welfare output. And continuation of these crucial alliances and the industry’s recognition of seafarers’ need for our welfare work is fundamental to being able to sustain our free provision of services.”

Gulf Oil Marine also used the gala occasion to launch the formation of its long-term relationship with the charity in order to create a support channel to better assist the seafarer at a critical time. As a start, it is funding sets of ‘emergency care packs’ for seafarers hospitalised at short-notice while on overseas contract.

ENDS

About the Sailors’ Society

Sailors’ Society people meet merchant seafarers right where they work – on board the huge variety of cargo and cruise ships at the strategic ports of the world. They also bring with them practical services like SIM phone cards to connect with loved ones at home, the latest newsprint in many languages and are able to change foreign money into local currency for shopping etc.

As part of its round-the-clock mission, the Sailors’ Society provides a wide spectrum of support services – ship-visiting, provision of welfare support to seafarers and their families, faith support, and when in dire need, financial help.

Whenever a seafarer connects with the Society, he or she can count on a comprehensive response. Founded in 1818, the Sailors’ Society is a not-for-profit Christian Society associated with all the free churches although it remains independent and is not directly affiliated to any one church. It is multi-denominational in approach, as are its trustees, staff and the service it provides to merchant seafarers.

The Society is present at many key ports around the globe where it maintains professional chaplains who are experienced in multi-faith and cross-cultural work. Its chaplains and volunteers assist thousands of merchant seafarers each year; extending a hand of friendship, hospitality and pastoral care to all those seafarers met, regardless of rank or circumstance.

The Sailors' Society provides a personal lifeline for merchant seafarers on board ship and when they step ashore in port and it’s proud to be among the largest, and most comprehensive seafarers’ support charity operating internationally.

To learn more about the Sailors’ Society and for information on how to donate, please visit www.sailors-society.org.