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Sailors’ Society says cheers to 200 years

29 Oct, 2018

Maritime welfare charity Sailors’ Society’s 200th anniversary events continued with the annual ING wine-tasting evening, which this year raised a glass to the charity’s 200^thanniversary.

This was the sixth annual wine-tasting hosted by ING at its London headquarters. More than 50 guests attended the evening, where expert sommelier Richard Yates of Ellis Wines guided on wines sourced from countries in which the charity operates.

David Grant, managing director of Shipping Finance, ING Bank said, “ING has been a proud supporter of Sailors’ Society for a number of years, celebrating and recognising the amazing work that the charity does in helping seafarers and their families around the world. This year, we were pleased to host their annual wine tasting featuring wines from across the world to mark their bicentenary anniversary. The evening was a great success and the strong turnout is testament to the high regard in which Sailors’ Society is held within the shipping community.”

Stuart Rivers, who presented ING ship-finance managing director David Grant with a certificate of support, said: “We’re extremely grateful to ING and guests for their on-going support. Over the years, this event has raised more than $20,800 (USD) towards our work supporting seafarers and their families.”

Tributes were also paid during the evening to a much-loved Sailors’ Society staff member, Pastor Joseph Chacko, and his wife Leena, who tragically died in a road accident along with Meru Kaku, a driver at the Deendayal Seafarers’ Centre, earlier this year.

Joseph was Sailors’ Society’s regional superintendent for India. His vision was to see, during his lifetime, a seafarers’ centre in every port and the charity has now launched a fund in his memory.

Sailors’ Society’s chief executive Stuart Rivers said: “Joseph was a champion of improving seafarers’ health and well-being. He worked tirelessly to better seafarers’ welfare and now Sailors’ Society is committed to continuing the work Joseph cared so much about and fulfilling his dream, with the launch of the Joseph Chacko Memorial Fund.”

The fund initially aims to raise $130,000 (USD) towards Sailors’ Society’s work in India, where it is estimated that 70 per cent of seafarers arriving in the country are unable to get shore passes and access local amenities.

Guests heard that funds raised will be used to build a seafarers’ centre in the port of Haldia in Joseph’s name, as well as other projects including a counselling centre, mobile medical unit and the ongoing provision of seven port chaplains.

Contributions to The Joseph Chacko Memorial Fund can be made at www.sailors-society.org/joseph

Sailors’ Society CEO Stuart Rivers presented ING ship-finance managing director David Grant with a certificate of support (Credit: Geoff Garfield)

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