Kintyre backs first ever National Fishermen’s Mission Support Day
The Fishermen’s Mission, the only national charity that works solely to support active and former fishermen and their families, will hold its first ever National Fishermen’s Mission Support Day this month and Kintyre is getting behind the cause.
It will be held on October 14, the date the charity began in the wake of the Eyemouth fishing tragedy of 1881, when 191 fishermen were drowned close to the coastline, leaving 93 widows and 267 children without their fathers.
“So distraught by what he saw that day, Ebenezer Mather went on to form the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, now also known as the Fishermen’s Mission,” said Ali Godfrey, the charity’s director of business development.
“Staying true to his vision, 143 years later, we remain committed to providing services for this unique workforce and their families.
“The charity provides a whole range of services including financial, practical, pastoral and wellbeing services. Last year alone, they supported their clients with £421,001 one off grants and took on 785 new clients.”
Around the UK, the Fishermen’s Mission employs 68 staff, both full and part-time, and has 150 volunteers.
The Mission also provides quayside health checks around the UK under its SeaFit banner. Emergency financial support and access regular grants are also available, pastoral home visits and assistance with bereavement and funeral arrangements are offered.
Louise Liddell, full-time mission area officer and Reverend Chris Holden, part-time port officer, cover south-west Scotland, which includes Argyll and Bute, Arran and Ayrshire. Louise is based in Troon, and Chris is in Campbeltown.
“This is a day for us to thank all those who we support and those who have supported us over the years, everyone who has made financial donations or has volunteered to help us,” said Rev Holden.
“Thousands of families nationwide have been helped by our work and we are very proud of the difference we have made and will continue to make here in our local community.
“We want to reach out to anyone who is either an active or former fisherman, or their dependents, in Argyll to get in touch with us if they need a bit of support.”
In connection with the National Fishermen’s Mission Support Day, Rev Holden will be leading parish services in Carradale and Campbeltown on Sunday October 20, in which he will feature the work of the charity which receives no government or lottery funding and relies totally on income raised from friends, supporters and foundations.
Last year alone, the Fishermen’s Mission supported its clients with £421,001 one-off grants and took on 785 new clients.
Each year, £2.5 million is needed to ensure that its services can still be provided against a backdrop of ever-increasing need in local coastal communities.
For every £1 that is generated, 88p is spent on providing their services around the whole of the UK coastline.
Visit www.fishermensmission.org.uk for more information, including how to get support or make a donation to support the charity’s work.
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