Support tomorrow’s fundraising campaign for Merchant Navy Day

Tomorrow (3 September) marks Merchant Navy Day and The Seafarers’ Charity is asking the public to support its Fly the Red Ensign campaign to honour the brave men and women who kept the UK afloat during both World Wars and to celebrate our dependence on modern-day merchant seafarers who are responsible for more than 90 per cent of the UK’s imports.

Each year, the annual campaign sees the Red Ensign, the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag, being flown on thousands of civic buildings and landmark flagpoles across the UK. 

This year, recognising that the Covid-19 pandemic had a huge impact on Merchant Navy communities, with many continuing to need urgent support, the charity is asking more people to support the campaign to remember the sacrifices of the often forgotten Merchant Navy community and donate to raise vital funds to help respond to the increased need for support.

President of The Seafarers’ Charity, HRH The Earl of Wessex GCVO, says: “On this Merchant Navy Day, I very much hope you will support this campaign by The Seafarers’ Charity to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage, and support the future of the personnel of our Merchant Navy.”

The charity has put together a downloadable toolkit to help promote the campaign both locally and online, as well as social media visuals and copy to use.

If you’re flying a Red Ensign on 3 September, please take a photo and email it to mnfund@theseafarerscharity.org or share on social media using the hashtag #MerchantNavyDay. Please register your participation in the campaign to receive a certificate of involvement in the autumn.

“Merchant Navy Day is such a special day to recognise the incredibly important role of our seafarers,” says Catherine Spencer, chief executive of The Seafarers’ Charity. “This year, as the impact of Covid-19 hits supply lines, the public are even much more familiar with how vital shipping is to keep shelves stocked. Our Merchant Navy have operated through the chaos of the pandemic to keep supplies moving, building on the long and proud history of supporting the nation in times of need, just as they did during World War One and Two. We hope you will join with us in Flying the Red Ensign to support seafarers and that you will consider donating to the Merchant Navy Fund.”

Visit the website to read how the charity is helping merchant seafarers and to donate to the cause.

All funds raised will go towards the Merchant Navy Fund, which is administered by The Seafarers’ Charity and supported by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board.