Global maritime welfare charity The Mission to Seafarers has launched its £15,000 fundraising campaign after been invited by SMM Hamburg 2016 to appear as featured guest charity at the fair which launched today.
This new fundraising drive has been kicked-off by Hamburg-based shipping company Brise Bereederungs (Brise) who have donated £3,000 to the cause and Promotion Union who have donated its agency fee of €1,000 to The Mission.
Visitors to SMM will be greeted by a crew of Mission fundraisers, dressed in traditional seafaring outfits, which have been inspired by 19th century sailors. This is celebrate the 160th birthday of the Mission which takes place this year.
Speaking of the Mission’s importance to the seafaring community, Brise’s Managing Director Kai-Erik Clemmesen said: “I am delighted to announce that Brise will be supporting The Mission to Seafarers’ fundraising efforts at SMM Hamburg 2016. The Mission is a fantastic global maritime charity that supports seafarers and their families in times of need, through a wide range of help and assistance. This includes providing communications for seafarers to contact home, running transport services from ship to shore, and managing around 120 seafarers’ centres in ports in over 50 countries.
“We have made a donation to the Mission today of £3,000 and hope that this will encourage others in the shipping industry to make a contribution this week to such a good cause. The Mission is on hand night and day to provide help in some of the world’s most remote and inhospitable places. I wish the team from the Mission at SMM Hamburg every good wish for a successful week.”
Looking ahead to SMM Hamburg and the Mission’s campaign, Jos Standerwick, Director of Development at the Mission, said: “Thank you to Brise and the Promotion Union for both their generous donations which have got the campaign off to an amazing start. Being the featured charity for SMM Hamburg is a huge privilege, where we have the chance to show the maritime community just a small part of the work we carry out worldwide. This campaign will help the lives of seafarers and their loved ones around the globe, 365 days a year. We look forward to seeing supporters of the Mission there.”
The Mission to Seafarers will also be running a stand where delegates can make donations and find out more about their work. They will be located in the Central Entrance in the Foyer.
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