Princess Royal joins Sailors’ Children’s Society in a thank you to partners behind nationwide family support programme

A charity which has been supporting the families of seafarers for more than 200 years invited some of its most dedicated partners to a Royal presentation as a thank you for efforts ranging from the historic to almost superhuman.

The Sailors’ Children’s Society also announced the launch of a new corporate partnership which will drive the growth and development of the charity as it continues its nationwide endeavours to help disadvantaged children from the Royal Navy, merchant navy, offshore wind industry, fishing fleets and inland waterways.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who has served as Patron of the Society since 2003 and renewed that status last year, was the guest of honour at Trinity House in Hull, where she presented certificates, trophies and plaques to recognise the commitment and achievements of individuals and organisations. 

Among the recipients were long-standing supporters who were each presented with lifetime contribution award. Also honoured were members of the Society’s 200 club, which was formed in 2017 and has now been closed, with the charity setting up a new partnership programme.

Three of the Society’s key supporters received commemorative plaques from Her Royal Highness to recognise their backing under the new programme. Emily Summerson, Group Operations Director at the Ashcourt Group, received a plaque as an Admirals of the Seas partner. Simon Bird, Regional Director of ABP’s Humber ports, was presented with a plaque to acknowledge the company’s Captains of Industry status. Rebecca Dobson, People and Property Director at MS3 Networks, also received a plaque to mark the company adopting the Society as its charity of the year. 

Awards were also presented to the corporate cyclists who in September raised £20,000 for the charity with a bridge-to-bridge ride, pedalling 212 miles from the Severn Bridge to the Humber Bridge in just two days. The achievement came a year after team leader Adam Walsh, CEO of John Good Group, provided the inspiration by completing the challenge as a solo rider in just one day.

Natasha Barley, CEO of the Society, told her guests: “The 200 club was established to help the charity raise funds to purchase caravans for our respite breaks, enabling our families to get away from the stress of their circumstances and spend precious time together healing as a family.

“The lifetime contribution awards recognise individuals who are long standing supporters – phenomenal people who have consistently gone above and beyond to support the charity giving their time, knowledge, and advice to further our work and ensure the charities future viability.

“The bridge-to-bridge ride was created by Adam Walsh and this year he decided to do it again but to grow it. He ended up riding with seven other brave souls who raised a staggering £20,000. We are indebted to each rider who set an individual fundraising target making this possible, and we want to increases the numbers again next year. We also thank all of the generous donors and our ride sponsors including Wilkin Chapman, IT@Spectrum and Eastern Airways, DFDS and Ken Ellerker Cycles, for their support in achieving this target.

“In addition we are immensely grateful to the early adopters of our new corporate partnership, and we will soon be releasing further information to individuals and organisations about how they can get involved.”

Natasha also thanked keynote speaker Martin Johnson, founder of Trans2 Performance, for sharing his seafaring experiences in the Royal Navy, whose personnel are among those supported by the Society.

Natasha said: “We are all here because we believe in the work of Sailors’ Children’s Society and are committed to helping the families of seafarers who find themselves in financial and emotional crisis through no fault of their own. 

“A child does not choose the career of their parents but they can be adversely effected by it. When the worst happens, Sailors’ Children’s Society is there to help. Because of the kindness and support from everyone in this room we are able to help some of the country’s most disadvantaged families, enabling them to have a better quality of life and improved long term outcomes.”

Simon Bird, Regional Director of ABP’s Humber ports, said: “The Society provides such important help to children and families from seafaring backgrounds who have fallen on difficult times. It was an honour to be invited to such a significant event and to be presented with a plaque by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in recognition of the role ABP plays.”

Rebecca Dobson, People and Property Director at MS3 Networks, said: “The charity does some amazing work with seafaring families in Hull and across the country and we are pleased to be able to support it in several ways including digital inclusion, fundraising events and volunteering opportunities across our teams.  It was wonderful to meet Her Royal Highness and have the opportunity to celebrate our partnership.  She was lovely and took a real interest in our efforts supporting Sailors over the coming year.  It was a moment I’ll remember for many years to come.”

Emily Summerson, Group Operations Director at the Ashcourt Group, said: “We are very proud to be continuing our support to the Sailors Children Society as an Admiral of the Seas sponsor. We have supported this charity for many years and plan to do so for many more. It was a pleasure to meet HRH at the recent ceremony and to spend a few hours surrounded with lovely people who clearly all care deeply for the charity.”