We are taking part in The Mission to Seafarers Adventure Race Japan to support and raise money for Seafarers who are working in a hard environment to deliver the cargo safely to the end buyers. Our idea is to support those who work at sea in difficult environments.

The Mission to Seafarers was founded in 1856 as The Mission to Seaman. The Mission now provides help and support to the 1.5 million men and women who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat. We work in over 200 ports in 50 countries caring for seafarers of all ranks, nationalities, and beliefs, which makes us one of the largest sea port based welfare organisations in the world. Through our global network of chaplains, staff, and volunteers we offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to seafarers through ship visits, drop-in seafarers’ centres and a range of welfare and emergency support services

MtS Japan was established in the 1880s. The current port work of MtS Japan, operates in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kobe and reflects the activities and services provided internationally. The team provides support for mental health issues, fatigue, abandonment, communication, piracy, and shipwreck.

Where is the Money Going

Message from the Charity's Secretary General

I am very pleased to welcome the existing and potential supporters and team members for The Mission to Seafarers Adventure Race Japan 2023. This is perhaps the most ambitious and exciting event we have ever launched, incorporating as it does so many people and such ground-breaking territory.

While COVID continues to impact significantly, not least on seafarers, the world is beginning to open up. It seems to me that the revised timing of the race, to 2023, should work very well as an early opportunity to celebrate newfound freedoms and, after the long closure of such events, to take on a great challenge in a great place with great colleagues. The race will provide key networking and team building opportunities, as well as the chance to make new friends. It will also be a very genuine and demanding fitness challenge - but one aimed at different levels. I hope it will also expose our work to a new and wider audience.

The pandemic, at least for the moment, has made the men and women who crew our ships more globally visible. The challenges they face in normal times have been heightened to extreme levels by those created by the virus, including a devastating crew change crisis, and now by the impact of the Ukraine conflict on so many seafarers. Never has the work of The Mission to Seafarers been more needed, and I am so proud of what our teams across the world have been able to do against a background of extreme difficulty. It has been an extraordinarily creative and vigorous period in the Mission’s long history.

We have been so grateful for the generous support of so many, especially from within shipping. Our Adventure Race Japan challenge will, we hope, allow new projects to be launched in support of seafarers and their families. Our new strategy prioritises the development of enhanced support and resource for key global shipping hubs, including the launch of some brand new work where need has been demonstrated. You will learn more in the months ahead as we finalise our plans in a much changed maritime environment. So, if you are a committed team member, welcome! If you are still undecided about joining a team or sending a team to participate, do give this very serious thought. It is also an excellent opportunity for new supporters to get involved in our very important work.

The Revd Cannon Andrew Wright;

The Race

The race takes part over two days in the Izu Peninsula.

Day One takes in a 10k trek towards Mount Fuji and Day Two involves a shorter trek of 7k and a team paddle boarding relay along the peninsular.

The Teams

The Arrow teams have been training hard and are looking forward to this once in a lifetime challenge, and would really appreciate your support.

Thank you so much,

Jeremy Palin, Patrick Morrison, John Varley, Saadat Valiyeva, Thomas Bracewell, Nick Johnston, Brandon Hintz, Fergus Gifford, Simon Pallant, Zuzana Molnarova, Leslie Bo, Philip Holmes, Joe Ng, Norihiko Hirose, Hyewon Kwak and Martin Woo.