Supporting UK Merchant Navy seafarers and their families
Supporting UK Merchant Navy seafarers and their families
The Merchant Navy Fund is a much-needed collaborative initiative set up by two long-established navy charities, the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and The Seafarers' Charity, to exclusively support UK Merchant Navy seafarers.
In 2024, the Fund awarded £106,000 across four grants to four delivery partner organisations, supporting over 250 merchant seafarers, with more life-changing initiatives underway. Thanks to our generous supporters, who have helped raise over £850,000 since its inception, the Fund has been able to support vital research and award grants to maritime welfare charities, totalling more than £850,000 to date. All the money raised is used to help finance the Navy charities supporting UK Merchant Navy seafarers and their families in times of need.
Download our latest newsletter to see how your money helps those in need and please donate today to our navy charities to help our serving and retired Merchant Navy seafarers and their families.
Our impact
Since its launch in 2012, the Merchant Navy Fund has awarded more than £850,000 in grants to organisations supporting UK Merchant Navy seafarers and their families in times of need.
Latest News
Charity’s annual ‘Fly The Red Ensign’ campaign celebrates the faces behind the Merchant Navy flag
The Seafarers’ Charity is once again calling on organisations and communities across the UK to pay tribute to the people behind the Merchant Navy Flag by flying the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day, Sunday 3rd September. This is a longstanding and continuing campaign to highlight the Merchant Navy and its significance in our history, and our future.
More detailsCharity hoists national campaign to 'Fly the Red Ensign' and celebrate our merchant seafarers
National maritime charity, The Seafarers’ Charity, is calling on the support of the organisations and communities across the UK to show their appreciation and support for the Merchant Navy by flying the Red Ensign on this year’s Merchant Navy Day (3 September), and donating to merchant seafarers who in particular have been hit by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the latest crises facing the nation.
More detailsThe Merchant Navy Fund is administered by The Seafarers’ Charity (formerly King George’s Fund for Sailors). 50% of all donations are distributed to the Merchant Navy Welfare Board.
We work with organisations supporting UK Merchant Navy seafarers in need and their families.
Your organisation can apply to the Merchant Navy Fund’s Grants Programme, provided it meets our eligibility criteria. To take the eligibility test, please Apply for a Grant following the link below.
