London International Shipping Week Gala Dinner Raises £11,000 for Charity

London, 18^th September 2017 – London International Shipping Week’s Gala Dinner has raised £11,000 to be split between four leading maritime charities. The Mission to Seafarers, Seafarers UK, Apostleship of the Sea and Sailors’ Society will each receive equal shares to help fund their valuable work across the maritime industry.

Almost 1,000 guests attended a gala dinner at the Grosvenor Hotel on the 14th September, one of the highlights of LISW, where there was a collection for the charities. Many of the events and presentations held during the week also incorporated a slide promoting the charities and encouraging delegates to take the opportunity to donate to the four maritime causes.

The £10,851 raised on the night and during the week was topped up to £11,000 by LISW event organisers, Shipping Innovation Ltd.

Jan Webber, Director of Development for The Mission to Seafarers, commented: “All four charities are grateful to the exposure they received at the various events, conference and dinner. It is a marvellous opportunity to engage with donors to thank them for their support and explain why their assistance makes an essential contribution to our work.”

Nigel Shattock, Director of Fundraising & Communications at Seafarers UK, said: “We are extremely thankful to all those guests at the Gala Dinner, and to delegates attending events during the week, for their generosity. It was a fantastic evening and an excellent week, and the funds raised for the benefiting charities will appropriately be used for supporting seafarers in need.”

John Green, Director of Development at Apostleship of the Sea, commented: “In over 300 ports our port chaplains give seafarers a chance to get in touch with their families, a chance to get some shore leave; this collection will help us maintain this vital and unique global service for seafarers.”

Kate Sandys, Head of Fundraising at Sailors’ Society, said: “The Gala Dinner was an excellent evening and we are so grateful to all present for their generous donations. We want to thank the organisers for bringing us together for such a fantastic week. Thanks also to all of those who continue to work alongside the benefiting charities to ensure seafarer wellbeing is not forgotten.”  

ENDS