Seafarers UK and Royal Borough of Greenwich Partnership

Seafarers UK has proved to be the ideal charity partner for The Royal Borough of Greenwich Tall Ships Festival (5–9 September). Councillor Denise Hyland, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said: ‘The Royal Borough of Greenwich would like to thank Seafarers UK and Sea Cadets for being our official charity partners during this spectacular event.

‘The festival has been absolutely fantastic for Royal Greenwich, and Seafarers UK and Sea Cadets have made an enormous contribution towards ensuring its success. Their support has been crucial in helping to promote the Royal Borough and its historic maritime landmarks while also providing once in a lifetime opportunities for local young people to gain new skills as they experienced life sailing on the high seas.’

As part of the charity partnership, Seafarers UK was particularly pleased to have been able to arrange for six young people living in the Royal Borough to become trainee crew members on board the Dar Mlodziezy, one of the largest vessels to compete in this year’s Tall Ships Regatta that started in Falmouth on 31 August.

Suzy Cooper (aged 16), Connor Smith (17), Storm Smith-Suckoo, Sian Damole, Kaloyan Dinev and Samantha Town (all 18) were able to enjoy this ‘chance of a lifetime’ experience at sea, thanks to some targeted fundraising work by Seafarers UK with support from Greenwich Hospital and the Sir William Boreman Foundation.

After a successful Regatta, Storm, Samantha, Sian and Connor met with Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London. Samantha Town, who attends Thomas Tallis School, said: ‘I am really hoping that this trip will give me the self-confidence needed to make friends if I get to university, or else to pursue a career in the maritime sector.’

Commodore Barry Bryant CVO RN, Director General of Seafarers UK, said: ‘I am delighted that Seafarers UK was chosen as charity partner for the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival. The charity was a great fit for this high profile maritime event, with our support for seafarers young and old having an almost century-long connection with Greenwich’s own tradition of naval training and the welfare of seafarers and their families.’