Sailors’ Society makes mark in the Asian Shipping Community

Date: 22.10.09 Sailors’ Society makes mark in the Asian Shipping Community 300 guests representing major shipping industry companies came together recently at a glittering Singapore Reception to learn about the vital work carried out by (Southampton-based) international seafarers’ charity, Sailors’ Society. The Sailors’ Society has long been operating in Indonesia, the Philippines and India and is excited to establish stronger links in Singapore, a central hub of shipping in Asia. Distinguished guests enjoyed food, drink, presentations and a fundraising raffle in the exclusive surroundings of the Singapore Cricket Club. Keith Denholm, Director of PCL (Shipping) Pte Ltd and Chairman of the event was instrumental to the success of the function. He said: ‘For all of us in the maritime sector, I believe our seafarers are our ambassadors and it is important that the industry supports them in order to promote all that is good in what we do as we ply our trades. I have been connected to the charity through the generations in my family so it was easy for me to step up and assist them when called upon.’ Gert Jan van den Akker (GJ), President of Cargill Ocean Transportation added: ‘"Cargill has been linked to the Sailors' Society for many years and it is a pleasure to support the launch of the Sailors' Society in Singapore. At the Cargill Sailors' Society Geneva Ball last year we launched an initiative to donate US$10 for every port call made by Cargill, as a result I am delighted to present a cheque for US$63,390." He also announced Cargill’s continued financial support for the UK Three Peaks Challenge 2010 and the new 2011 Asian Challenge. The event was sponsored by PCL (Shipping) Pte Ltd, Cargill and Ince & Co., supported by Titan Salvage and Andrew Moore Associates. Richard Lovell, Managing Partner of the Ince & Co Singapore Office, said; ‘In expanding its footprint to include Asia, the Sailors’ Society brings much-needed and greatly appreciated personal support for the thousands of seafarers who diligently serve our numerous ports around the region. Ince is proud to be involved with this very worthy charity.’ The Sailors’ Society is an international charity that provides a personal lifeline for seafarers throughout the world. For more information, please visit: www.sailors-society.org Ends Words: 200 Notes to Editors: The Sailors’ Society is an international charity that provides 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 our Port Chaplains and Seafarers’ Centres. Our Port Chaplains visit thousands of ships every year, directly addressing the needs of seafarers - irrespective of a person’s belief or nationality - as well as maintaining vital links within the Ports that they operate. For more information, please visit www.sailors-society.org, or contact Debbie Osborne at Logical Creative Marketing on: 0845 345 69 69 or email: debbie@lcm.co.uk