Shipping Minister Wears Woolly Hat to Support Mission to Seafarers

Robert Goodwill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for shipping, helped launch Mission to Seafarers Woolly Hat Day 2015 at an event organized by Red Ensign Group at London International Shipping Week last night.

Joining leading industry figures and Red Ensign Group Head of Maritime Administration, Piers Baker, the UK Shipping Minister signaled his support for seafarers in need by wearing a woolly hat to launch the maritime charity’s annual fundraising initiative. The gala reception organized by Red Ensign Group brought together representatives from UK, Crown Dependencies and British Oversees territories, and they kicked off the fundraising campaign in style, sporting woolly hats and posing for photos.

Woolly Hat Day 2015 will take place on Friday 9th October, 2015. Mission to Seafarers is challenging the maritime industry to wear a woolly hat in support of seafarers in need around the world. The maritime charity is encouraging supporters to donate money, and get others involved by wearing a woolly hat, taking a photo and sharing via Facebook and other social media.

This year’s campaign is supported by Old Pulteney, the maritime malt, and the Campaign for Wool which will release five bespoke knitting patterns to raise funds for Mission to Seafarers.

Robert Goodwin MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, commented:

“I want to acknowledge the great work of the Mission to Seafarers and its dedication in supporting mariners worldwide. The Mission does a great and often unsung job and very much deserves our support.”

Andrew Wright, Secretary General of Mission to Seafarers, commented:

“I am looking forward to our exciting Woolly Hat Day campaign 2015 which is taking place on 9 October and I would like to ask as many of our supporters as possible to ‘Join the Crew!’ this year. It is vital that our welfare work with seafarers is promoted across the maritime community and further afield. This year we are taking our campaign to a far wider audience through our highly valued partners Old Pulteney Maritime Malt Whisky and The Campaign for Wool. We have new videos and lots of interactive fun planned via social media via #WHD. Please download our new fundraising pack filled with ideas and promote the Mission’s Woolly Hat Day to all your friends.”

Margaret Mary Clarke, Senior Brand Manager, Old Pulteney commented:

“Old Pulteney will be hosting lots of exciting activity to support Woolly Hat Day 2015 and we are very proud to back such a worthwhile international campaign. Our whisky is known as the ‘Maritime Malt’ due to its rich seafaring heritage, so fundraising to support seafarers and their families really resonates with us. We are looking forward to working closely with Mission to Seafarers over the coming weeks to raise awareness of the vital work that they do and to bring the campaign to life.”

Bridgette Kelly, Campaign for Wool

“The Campaign for Wool is delighted to sponsor Woolly Hat Day - as part of our Wool Week activity. This provides a brilliant event for our knitters and crafters to support and we are releasing special woolly hat patterns from five leading knit and craft designers to help raise funds. It also helps our UK wool loving community, to support the Campaign’s Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales in his ambition to promote the natural sustainable benefits of wool in a fun way whilst supporting the important work of the Mission to Seafarers.”