To our Merchant Navy… THANK YOU.
Our Fly the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day annual campaign continued its success this year, with the British Merchant Navy’s official flag (Red Ensign) being flown on Merchant Navy Day on September 3rd in many locations across the UK, highlighting the vital role of merchant seafarers – past, present and future.
Started in 2015 by The Seafarers’ Charity to address ‘sea blindness’ that appeared to afflict a huge proportion of the population, the campaign provides an opportunity to honour the many brave men and women who kept the UK afloat during both World Wars and celebrate our dependence on modern-day merchant seafarers who are responsible for more than 90% of the UK’s imports.
This year, in recognition of extreme financial challenges that many working and retired UK seafarers and their families have been facing during the pandemic, we also asked for donations as part of the campaign towards Merchant Navy Fund, administered by The Seafarers’ Charity and supported by the Merchant Navy Fund Welfare Board, as a way of thanking our merchant seafarers who have worked so hard to keep our country going throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
‘I very much hope you will support this campaign by The Seafarers’ Charity to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage, and support the future of the personnel of our Merchant Navy.’
- HRH The Earl of Wessex and Forfar KG, GCVO, President of The Seafarers’ Charity.
Help us give Merchant Navy seafarers somewhere to turn for support at time of crisis
If you would like to support our appeal, please make a donation online. Your donation will help us give Merchant Navy seafarers and their families somewhere to turn for support at time of crisis.
Images with thanks to: Teignmouth Town Council; Aberdeenshire Council.
