Why did the charity change its name from King George’s Fund for Sailors to Seafarers UK?
How does Seafarers UK help seafarers?
What makes Seafarers UK different from the many other maritime charities?
Why should I give to Seafarers UK rather than any particular maritime charity?
Why do seafarers need help from charities?
How can I support the work of Seafarers UK?
If I make a donation, how much will go to seafarers and how much will go on administration costs?
How can I take part in a challenge event?
I would like to run the London Marathon for Seafarers UK, how can I do this?
I would like to book a ticket for a Royal Marines Band Concert. How can I do this?
I work for a charity and would like to apply for a grant, how do I do this?
Who or what does Seafarers UK fund?
Does Seafarers UK work with other maritime charities?
Is Seafarers UK connected to any other Armed Forces charities?
What is Seafarers UK?
Seafarers UK is a registered charity that supports people who have served at sea in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Merchant Navy and fishing fleets, and their equivalents in the Commonwealth, and their dependants. The charity raises funds and gives grants annually to over 70 charities that work to improve the lives of these seafarers and their families.
What is the history of the charity?
The charity was founded in 1917 by the then Lord Mayor of London and eminent members of the maritime community. They saw a need for an umbrella organisation to oversee more efficient distribution of the nation’s charitable help given to help seafarers injured in the First World War, and their bereaved families. King George V gave a donation of £5000 and later allowed his name to be used. The charity was thus called King George’s Fund for Sailors and has continued to support seafarers to the present day. For more information see the web page Our History www.seafarers-uk.org/about-us/history
Why did the charity change its name from King George’s Fund for Sailors to Seafarers UK?
In the summer of 2005 and after some research on public perception, the charity decided to adopt a new name to more effectively describe its work. The charity helps not only RN sailors but anyone who has worked in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Merchant Navy and fishing fleets, and their dependants. The charity wanted to make it clear that it works for all seafarers throughout the country, and thought the name Seafarers UK was most appropriate.
How does Seafarers UK help seafarers?
Seafarers UK does not give grants to individuals, but funds expert front-line charities that work directly with seafarers in distress. These charities help with all aspects of seafarers’ welfare, including accommodation, medical services, disability services, financial aid, childcare, education and training and youth activities. Seafarers UK raises money through its fundraising activities and this enables it to give away over £2.5 million in grants every year.
What makes Seafarers UK different from the many other maritime charities?
Seafarers UK is the only UK-wide charity that fundraises for, and gives grants to, organisations that help people from all UK seafaring jobs, and their families.
Why should I give to Seafarers UK rather than any particular maritime charity?
If you know and want to assist a particular charity, eg the RN Benevolent Trust, that’s fine by us. However, if you’re not sure which the most deserving charity might be, or if you just want to help the UK maritime community generally, you can be confident that a donation to Seafarers UK will be targeted on one of the areas of greatest need. We have this ability through ongoing research, long experience and day-to-day contact with our constituent charities.
Why do seafarers need help from charities?
There are aspects of seafaring work that mean that seafarers are particularly susceptible to hardship.
• Seafarers face greater danger than those in most other professions
• Seafarers are away from wives/husbands/partners and families for long and often uncertain periods of time
• Seafarers in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines risk being killed or injured in combat
• Many merchant seafarers have worked for several different companies and have difficulty in setting up occupational pension schemes.
• Fishing is the most dangerous occupation in the UK. There were 256 recorded deaths of commercial fishermen on UK-registered fishing vessels during the period 1992 to 2006
How can I support the work of Seafarers UK?
There are many ways that you can support Seafarers UK. These include:
- Donate money by post, by phone or via the website
- Leave a donation to Seafarers UK in your will
- Take part in a challenge event or other fundraising activity
- Buy tickets for a Royal Marines Band concert
- Buy Seafarers UK Christmas Cards
- Join a local supporters group
If I make a donation, how much will go to seafarers and how much will go on administration costs?
For 2008 21p in the £ was spend on admin, meaning that 79p went to grants and charitable activities. We don’t waste money on administration, but we do spend money on making sure our charity runs effectively, smoothly and efficiently – getting every penny to where it’s needed. We also have policies that keep costs down. For example:
• All our post is sent out 2nd class if possible.
• We use the cheapest possible methods to contact supporters.
• We get quotes from a number of service suppliers, such as printers, to find the cheapest.
How can I take part in a challenge event?
Have a look at the website challenge events page:
www.seafarers-uk.org/take-a-challenge The challenge events section has lots of tips about how to fundraise and get the most out of your event.
Simply choose an event that suits you. For more information call our Events Manager on 020 7932 5961or email event@seafarers-uk.org
I would like to run the London Marathon for Seafarers UK, how can I do this?
If you are interested in joining Team Seafarers UK in the London Marathon you have two options:
• Firstly visit www.virginlondonmarathon.com and enter the official ballot. If you are lucky enough to gain a place, we would love for you to run for the charity and ask for no minimum fundraising amount.
• Alternatively, please visit www.crunch.org.uk/seafarers and pledge to raise at least £1300. When filling in your application form please mention that you have come direct from the Seafarers UK website.
We will provide every member of Team Seafarers UK with:
• Fantastic training, nutrition and fundraising information
• A Seafarers UK running vest
• The option to receive balloons, posters and other fundraising tools to help you with your fundraising efforts.
• Regular updates and communications to keep you motivated
• Access to snacks, drinks, massages and showers on our fantastic after-race reception on HQS Wellington on the River Thames.
• A member of the events team always on hand via phone or email to help you with any fundraising or training issues you may have.
For more information please contact the Events Manager, on 020 7932 5961 or events@seafarers-uk.org We look forward to welcoming you to Team Seafarers UK!
I would like to book a ticket for a Royal Marines Band Concert. How can I do this?
Tickets are normally booked directly with the venue hosting the concert. To do this, please look at the website page www.seafarers-uk.org/events and phone the venue. If you have any problems please email alexandra.sard@seafarers-uk.org or phone 023 9273 6101.
My father was in the Navy. Can you give him money for…/provide residential care/ pay for his funeral?
Seafarers UK does not give grants to individuals it gives grants to charities that help individuals. If you are someone, or know someone, who is looking for help from a charity there are a number of resources to help you.
• Seafarer Support: phone 0800 121 4765
• Seafarers Information and Advice Line: phone 08457 413 318
• Nautical Welfare Guide – via our website
I work for a charity and would like to apply for a grant, how do I do this?
You can download an application form from the website at:
www.seafarers-uk.org/grants
If you would prefer a paper copy of the form to fill in please phone Chris Brown on 0208 279 5975 or email chris.brown@seafarers-uk.org and we will send you one in the mail.
Who or what does Seafarers UK fund?
Seafarers UK is able to fund any charity or organisation that numbers the welfare of seafarers among its objects. Actual funding will depend on the strength of the applicant’s case and the funds available for distribution. Seafarers UK does not fund individuals, apart from occasional claimants on the South Atlantic and Gulf War Funds
Does Seafarers UK work with other maritime charities?
One of the objectives of Seafarers UK is to improve the efficiency of the maritime charity sector, and one of the major ways it does this is through membership of the Maritime Charities Funding Group, alongside Trinity House, the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, NAUTILUS UK, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and the Seamen’s Hospital Society. By working together, this Group has been able to fund major research programmes into the specific needs of seafarers, and generic projects to improve seafarers’ quality of life.
Is Seafarers UK connected to any other Armed Forces charities?
Seafarers UK is a permanent member of the Executive Board of the Confederation of British Service and ex-Service Organisations (COBSEO), representing the maritime case. Other permanent members are the Royal British Legion, SSAFA-Forces Help, the Army Benevolent Fund, and the RAF Benevolent Fund, and COBSEO also works closely with the major charities for the disabled: BLESMA, St Dunstan’s, and Combat Stress.