North P&I Club and seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) spread an early Christmas joy to seafarers, as on December 5 they donated 59 Christmas shoeboxes which will be distributed to seafarers by AoS port chaplains and ship visitors over the festive period.
The parcels were delivered by Belinda Ward North Deputy Director to Paul Atkinson, AoS port chaplain for Blyth & Tyne.
Almost 90% of world trade is transported by ship and seafarers may spend up to a year at a time away from home, separated from their family and loved ones.
“The isolation and loneliness can be felt more acutely at Christmas time and here at North, we thought it would be a good idea to provide seafarers visiting local ports with a shoebox full of gifts at Christmas time as it not only spreads some cheer but they also provide practical items that are hard to do without while at sea,” said John Webb, Senior Executive of North P&I Club.
North Club and AoS were overwhelmed by the generosity of the community, by donations from family and friends of colleagues and from local maritime lawyers Campbell Johnston Clark.
Mr. Atkinson also said that distributing Christmas presents to seafarers is a way to let them know that they are not forgotten during this special time.
“We often forget that it is seafarers who bring us most of our Christmas presents in the first place, so this is a wonderful thank you gesture to let them know they are appreciated,” Paul Atkinson concluded.