Are you up to the Challenge?

Howard Lake | 27 May 2011 | News

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• South West

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, one of the UK’s oldest maritime charities is calling on schools to take a CHALLENGE and go walk about, at the same time as raising money for a good cause. June 6th to 12th is Seafarers Awareness Week and the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society is committed to this national campaign within the maritime charity community to promote our work on behalf of seafarers and their families, and to help raise the profile of the dangers and sacrifices faced by those who work at sea, whilst at the same time acknowledging the vital contribution the maritime and fishing industries play in allowing us all to enjoy our standard of living.
To end the summer term on a high note, The Society is setting a CHALLENGE to schools that guarantee fun at no additional cost. An educational adventure for all the ages, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society wants children to learn about the crucial role seafarers play in our day to day lives, so schools taking part can use the Challenge as a National Curriculum project or subject topic.
The CHALLENGE can take place any time to suit the schools between now and 29 July 2011. Pupils are encouraged to donate £1 to take part and photos, anecdotes and tales from the events are welcomed. Easy to organise, the CHALLENGE has a pre-planned route in the Isle of Wight, Jersey, Lynmouth and Weymouth that will include visits to the Society’s ex-WW11 collecting box mines which were donated by the Admiralty in recognition of the support the Charity gave to seafarers during the war years.
“With the school holidays just around the corner and warm weather with us, the CHALLENGE is an ideal way to end the summer term,” said Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Commodore Malcolm Williams, CBE RN. “As an island nation, we are extremely reliant on our seafarers and we hope the Challenge Walks will prove an interesting and fun event. We hope children will enjoy learning about one of the industries that has contributed so much to our economy. Once completed all schools who have raised money for the Society will receive a certificate as a record of their endeavours.”
The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society was founded in 1839 and exists to provide relief to the seafaring, and ex-seafaring community. As well as helping in the event of a shipwreck – and they do still happen – its main function today is offering financial support to retired or elderly seafarers and widows who have fallen on hard times. Last year, the Society made grant payments totalling over £1.6 million to beneficiaries in one off or regular grants.
Taking part in the CHALLENGE is free and easy to enter. To request an information pack please call 01243 789 329 or visit www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk
 

About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale. He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.