Hi Everyone,
This year for my 21st birthday I will be taking to the chilly waters of the North Sea to raise money for Apostleship of the Sea and The Children's Heart Surgery Fund.
The Apostleship of the Sea is a Catholic charity that supports seafarers worldwide, providing practical and pastoral care to all regardless of nationality, belief or race. 90% of world trade is transported by ship but the life of a modern seafarer can be dangerous and lonely. They may spend up to a year at a time away from home, separated from their family and loved ones and often working in harsh conditions for little pay.
The port chaplains and volunteer ship visitors of The Apostleship of the Sea welcome seafarers at ports, offer welfare services and advice, practical help, care and friendship. The Apostleship of the Sea in Great Britain is part of an international network known to the maritime world as Stella Maris, working in 318 ports with 217 port chaplains around the world.
The Apostleship of the Sea also works to prevent the enslavement and trafficking of seafarers and works with the coastguard by flagging up ships where abuse is suspected or has been reported by its crew. In 2017 the charity was involved in a Congress entitled, ‘Caught in the Net’ which focused specifically on the preventing the abuse of fishermen around the world.
The Children's Heart Surgery Fund supports children and adults born with heart diseases across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. They work alongside the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit at the Leeds General Infirmary where I was lucky enough to be born, meaning I could recieve expert surgery after being born with TAPD (Total Anomalous Pulmonary Disorder)-without which I wouldn't be here today.
Remember: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. They'll make sure Gift Aid (an additional 25%) is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too. That means more money goes to the charity, faster, with JustGiving.
