North P&I Club and seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea have collaborated to spread the Christmas spirit to seafarers for a second year in a row, by handling over 67 Christmas shoeboxes to Paul Atkinson, AoS port chaplain for Blyth & Tyne.
The shoeboxes will be distributed to seafarers over the Christmas period. Because approximately the 90% of the world’s products are being transported by sea, seafarers may spend up to a year at a time away from home. Their isolation and loneliness can be felt more acutely at Christmas.
John Webb, Senior Executive (Claims) noted that North have been overwhelmed by the generosity of staff which enabled to surpass the number of shoeboxes that we were able to donate last year, and in the meantime they enhanced the quality and quantity of the gifts received has far exceeded our expectations.
John Webb stated
Many of our colleagues are ex-seafarers and have always appreciated the Christmas gifts in a shoebox, something they say brought a smile to their face while celebrating Christmas on-board
Finally, Paul Atkinson, AoS port chaplain for Blyth & Tyne, highlighted that by giving presents to seafarers during Christmas days, they are reminded that they are not forgotten and they’re appreciated.
