Santa Claus, or, if you prefer, Father Christmas, is a much-known character beloved by kids the world over for bringing them wonderful presents.
Santa, of course, ain’t real (sorry kids!).
The people who really do bring you wonderful presents from the other side of the planet are seafarers.
Sadly – tragically – they’re more unfairly maligned than beloved, especially by many (but not all) governments and officials that prevent seafarers from accessing much-needed medical care, from taking shore leave and perhaps, worst of all, unnecessarily keeping them separated from their families for many months at a time.
Shipping industry bodies from around the globe have joined hands to help seafarers.
Seafarers’ Missions and seafarer charities are raising funds and other donations to help alleviate the plight of seafarers. See this flyer for details.
Seafarers can also access a range of helplines for issues such as financial benefits, confidential advice, religious support, emotional support, mental health support, COVID support and receive support for many other issues.
See this flyer for details.
In a lighter way – but a no less important way – shipping companies and unions both are arranging festivities onboard. Family, friends, shipping companies, choirs and all those that appreciate seafarers are asked to help make a special festive video tribute.
The video will be a compilation singalong of the popular ‘12 Days of Christmas’ song, but with some very special new words. It will be produced as a compilation of different contributions provided from around the world. See this flyer for details and you can join in the sing-along fun here.
Supporting partners of the Deliver Seafarers Home for Christmas Campaign include the International Chamber of Shipping; International Transport Workers Federation; International Christian Maritime Association; International Marine Contractors Association; Ocean Technologies Group; Seafarers Hospital Society; Seafarers UK; ISWAN; ITF Seafarers Trust; MNWB; INTERCARGO; INTERTANKO; Inmarsat.
Want to get involved?
Visit #seafarersdeliveringchristmas on Twitter.
Want to donate money, gifts of help in some other way?
ACTION: read the “Seafarers delivering Christmas” pamphlet
ACTION: Support a mission or charity:
International Christian Maritime Association
https://icma.as/icma-members
North American Maritime Ministry Association
http://namma.org/maritime-christmas/
Seafarers UK – (UK and Commonwealth) (secular) https://www.seafarers.uk/supporting-us/donate/
International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (Global)
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/donation-web/charity?charityId=1008299&stop_mobi=yes
