Maritime charity Christmas calendar events in support of seafarers

As maritime charities are aware, many crew and their families may be approaching the Christmas season with further trepidation as the impact of Covid-19, the crew change crisis and other financial and welfare hardships have not gone away.

The Mission to Seafarers is predicting that 'this year, like last, promises to be particularly hard', and that many seafarers will depend on vital Christmas ministries – such as deliveries of personal shopping at the gangway by charity staff and volunteers. Many seafarers also appreciate the free WiFi devices distributed by several charities to seafarers in port, so they can connect with family after long periods at sea where internet access has been limited or non-existent.

Aside from important donations to support the charities' vital welfare work, interested maritime allies can give seasonal support in other ways via festive events in the annual maritime charity calendar.

First up is The Seafarers' Charity festive Maritime Quiz, which is being held online on Thursday 2 December from 6pm. The event will be hosted by both former Maritime Minister and a Charity trustee Nusrat Ghani MP and by Julian Clark, senior partner at INCE.

The first Sailors' Society Christmas carol service since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2019 will be held both in person and online at All Hallows by the Tower, one of the oldest churches in the City of London on Wednesday 8 December from 12.30pm with donations welcome. The event will be livestreamed, and a service video available afterwards.

The annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols hosted by The Mission to Seafarers will be held in person once again this year, also at All Hallows on 15th December 2021, 17:30:00.