Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, is supporting the International Chamber of Shipping's campaign “Seafarers Delivering Christmas”.
To support seafarers this Christmas, after what has been an exceptionally challenging year, a group of maritime organisations are collaborating on a campaign called #SeafarersDeliveringChristmas.
Many seafarers have had to work beyond their normal contracts due to the various global government lockdowns, making crew changeovers virtually impossible for several months. Under the hashtag of #SeafarersDeliveringChristmas, the campaign has developed a range of initiatives to help demonstrate gratitude to all the seafarers who have kept the global supply chain operating and continued to deliver vital cargo under exceptionally difficult circumstances.
Nus has been a strong advocate for seafarers throughout the pandemic. She has recently joined Seafarers UK as a Trustee and will be supporting the charity’s work on better mental health provisions for those who work at sea. Nus has long called for seafarers to be granted the status of key workers and she has written articles for the Telegraph (read here), the Guardian (read here) and City AM (read here) and spoken in Chamber (watch here) to highlight the humanitarian crisis, with nearly half a million seafarers trapped at sea by Covid restrictions.
Whether you are a company, family, friend or union – seafarers need your help. Ways of support include donating gifts or money to seafarer charities or missions, providing free 10-minute telephone calls, helping to provide access to support helplines or organising holiday fundraising activities.
Nus Ghani said: “We rely on seafarers for all our industries as well as stocking our supermarket shelves. Seafarers work in some of the world’s toughest conditions to satisfy global demand and ensure the delivery of all of the goods that we depend on for our survival, most notably our food, medicines and fuel. I know that many Wealden residents have family members or are themselves seafarers and I am pleased to help shed a light on this hidden workforce.”
“Seafarers across the UK often feel isolated, and often lack the resources for food, accommodation or health services once they are no longer serving at sea. It is vital that we support our seafarers, especially during this unprecedented time.”
