Local charity employee receives international Welfare Award

Ann Brogan recognised for her outstanding contribution to Sailors’ Society

Southampton’s Ann Brogan won the Welfare Personality of the Year Award at the ICSW International Seafarers’ Welfare Awards in London. Ann’s work as the Operations and Administration Manager for Southampton-based global charity, Sailors’ Society, was finally recognised at the event in which over 2000 seafarers also nominated ports, shipping companies and Seafarers’ Centres for awards. She was nominated as a result of the outstanding support she has given to Port Chaplains over the 18 years she has been at the Society. Port Chaplains visit thousands of ships every year, directly addressing the needs of seafarers as well as maintaining vital links with the ports in which they operate. One of the Chaplains who nominated Ann remarked: “She provides advice, guidance and resources (to the Chaplains). Her experience and insight has provided both us and seafarers with much appreciated resources and support for her welfare work.” Ann was also described as being a fixer of problems who found nothing too daunting, too big or too small to undertake. Another nominator said: “Her humour and Christian qualities ….provides an ethos that promotes the effective running of the Society,” adding: “We depend on her. She has a heart of gold and fully deserves an award.” Ann has worked behind the scenes at the Sailors’ Society office with great passion and dedication, ensuring the smooth flow of welfare support through the Chaplains to individual seafarers. The award was presented at a ceremony by Efthimios Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation. Guests at the event included Spiros M Polemis, President of the International Shipping Federation, Peter Swift, Managing Director of Intertanko, Capt Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of Intermanager, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, former UK Shipping Minister and SMI editorial director Sean Moloney. Roger Harris, Executive Director of the ICSW said “We are very pleased with the response to the awards. The winners will serve as an inspiration to all those involved in seafarers’ welfare both onboard and ashore.” Speaking at the ceremony, Ann said: “I am overwhelmed to receive this award and thank all those who nominated me.” The Sailors’ Society is an international charity providing a personal lifeline for seafarers throughout the world. Existing to enrich and enhance the well-being of the world’s 1.2 million seafarers, the charity offers practical help, emotional and spiritual support and, when in dire need, financial assistance and family liaison through Port Chaplains and Seafarers’ Centres. For more information, please visit their website www.sailors-society.org or follow them on twitter at www.twitter.com/sailorssociety Ends Words: 414

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