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Supporting UK Merchant Navy seafarers and their families

The Merchant Navy Fund is a much-needed collaborative initiative set up by two long-established charities, the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and The Seafarers' Charity, to exclusively support Merchant Navy seafarers.

Last year the Fund celebrated its tenth anniversary and thanked generous supporters for helping to raise £720,000 since its inception. To date, the Fund was able to support vital research and award grants to maritime welfare charities totalling more than £700,000. All the money raised is used to help finance those charities supporting UK Merchant Navy seafarers and their families at times of need.

Download our latest newsletter to see how your money helps those in need and please donate today to help our serving and retired Merchant Navy seafarers and their families.

Were you home for Christmas?

Many UK Merchant Navy seafarers weren't. Some can't afford not to work. Some have nowhere to call home. The cost-of-living crisis is a very real emergency. Help us deliver support to where it is needed most.

See our Winter Appeal

Our impact

Since its launch in 2012, the Merchant Navy Fund has awarded more than £700,000 in grants to organisations supporting UK Merchant Navy seafarers and their families in times of need.

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Latest News

Charity 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.

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Fund for Merchant Navy seafarers reaches 10-year milestone

A fund that supports charities caring for UK Merchant Navy seafarers and their families is celebrating its ten-year anniversary this year.

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The Merchant Navy Fund is administered by The Seafarers’ Charity (Seafarers UK, formerly King George’s Fund for Sailors), and supported by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board.

Merchant navy welfare board
Seafarers charity

Grant Funding

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.

Donate to the Merchant Navy Fund

Your support is vital to Merchant Navy seafarers and their families at times of need.

Thanks to our supporters, last year we were able to award £69,000 in funding to five organisations supporting UK Merchant Navy seafarers, but more help is needed.

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