The global submariner community is a very special one. Long an elite cadre of highly skilled sailors, all submariners are aware of their shared vulnerability. Operating deep below the oceans, survival can never be taken for granted. All submariners know that when they leave port they might never come home. They know their bodies might rest eternal at the bottom of the sea, far from their families. It is for those family's and loved ones of the crew of KRI Nanggala 402 faced with the reality that their fathers, husbands, brothers, or sons will never be coming home, I have started this fund in the hope that we can in some small way ease the burdens they face ahead of them.

*UPDATE*

Humbled is probably the only word I can use to describe how I feel about the progress of this fundraiser. I had no idea it would reach this amount, nor did I imagine that word of its existence would spread so far and wide. My expectations were that I could raise a few hundred pounds which I would then give to one of the bigger charities happy in the knowledge I had done my bit. To have reached a point over £8000 has inspired me to push on further and change the incredibly naïve initial target of £500 to one of £11000 I shall continue to do all I can to spread the word.

Not only has the generosity from all our supporters been inspiring but also the outpouring of emotion and solidarity in the cold light of this tragic event. This will not be allowed to disappear when the fund closes. All the messages that you have been sending me or leaving on the site will be transferred to a book of condolence where it will be accompanied by a translated version of your text and finally sent on to Indonesia. (This will be paid for by me not from your donations)

All donations over £10 will be entered into a raffle for a bottle of the original run of Highland Park “The Dolphins” whiskey (The Matt Black bottle version)

At a time still to be decided I will video the draw for the winner and post on my facebook page as well as post the video on here via a Youtube clip so please check back in and keep an eye out for updates.