The Mission to Seafarers has launched a major new programme of essential welfare work for seafarers and their families, with friends, supporters and volunteers in Singapore at a highly prestigious event which was hosted by Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner, on 4 June.
A celebratory event, the goal of the evening was to raise awareness of their work and the need to raise $690,000 for the expansion of vital operations in Singapore. Over 250 guests attended from the international shipping and law industries, with the Reception generously supported by lead sponsors The China Navigation Company and Swire Pacific Offshore.
Also attending the Reception were newly appointed Regional Representatives from the global Mission to Seafarers from Australia, Canada, East Asia, The Gulf and India, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, and the UK. The Mission to Seafarers has been holding its global conference 2014 this week in Singapore in recognition of the importance of the local Mission's branch celebrating its 90th anniversary year and the positioning of Singapore as a crucial regional hub for the future development of the worldwide MtS.
The Revd Andrew Wright, Secretary General, The MtS, said: "Seafaring is a way of life that brings with it very particular dangers, challenges and demands, ones which impact not only on crew but on their families as well. When I was last here, MtS was dealing with two men who had been airlifted to hospital from far out at sea as a result of a collision. Both men had suffered amputated legs. Their lives were changed radically forever and they faced enormous difficulties. The Mission was able to offer care and support on a daily basis over many weeks."
Shown for the first time during the evening reception was the Mission's new global video which was filmed in Hong Kong and Tuticorin, Southern India, describing the core work of compassion and care that MtS provides in a safe and welcoming ‘home away from home' for seafarers in distress. In 2013 Revd Stephen Miller, Senior Chaplain and Regional Director for East Asia, began hospital-visiting with a Chinese seafarer who had been taken seriously ill with spinal cancer. Weng Ying and her husband Raja were supported through her illness at the Mission's Mariners' Club in Hong Kong for over a year. The Mission provided friendship, as well as spiritual and financial support for the couple, throughout a long and challenging period for seafarer Weng Ying.
MtS is fully funded by generous donations from individuals and the shipping industry and is absolutely reliant on those gifts to continue its vital welfare work.
The Mission further announced at the British High Commission Reception that a major new fundraising project will be launched shortly by supporters, which aims to raise awareness and funds in excess of S$500,000. It will comprise a team of enthusiasts from the shipping community in Singapore rowing non-stop around the Island in purpose-built boats. This will take shape in the next year and culminate in a major event during Singapore Shipping Week in April 2015, in partnership with Singapore's maritime regulatory body, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
A new corporate sponsor for MtS work was also announced by branch Chairman Mr Lee Wai Pong who spoke at the event.
Captain Lee Wai Pong said: "The Mission to Seafarers started in Singapore in 1926 and I am delighted to thank our generous sponsors for helping us to share our vital work with seafarers at the British High Commission with many new friends and colleagues and to welcome The Mission to Seafarers from around the world to their global strategic conference here in my home port.
"The night was highly successful and I remain overwhelmed and profoundly grateful for how many people came out to support us. I would ask people to please watch our new and moving film, to give you a real example of the essential, caring work we do with the sick, and the bereaved, as well as those who have been badly injured at sea or those who have faced trauma or despair in their personal lives.
"At more than 260 of the world's ports in 71 countries the Mission may be the only help at hand. I have never forgotten my early experiences of isolation at sea, and coming into contact with the self-less volunteers from the Mission in Australia; and it is time for us to repay the Mission for the care and kindness shown to all peoples, for our port and economy has flourished on the toil and endurance of seafarers everywhere.
"I am also very pleased to announce that Castleton Commodities International, a leading US based trade and shipping company, which owns and operates an estimated 400 ships, ranging from dry bulk carriers to methane carriers trading worldwide will, with immediate effect, contribute US$ 500 as a donation to The Mission to Seafarers every time one of their ships call at the port of Singapore for any purpose. This funding will be paid directly by the ship agent to us. This is profoundly welcome and exciting news."
Source: Mission to Seafarers
You can also watch the related video by clicking below:
Seafarers welfare awareness campaign