Renewable energy company Drax has helped to provide supplies of food, toiletries, warm clothing, and stocking fillers to seafarers working at sea over the festive period.

More than £10,000 was raised by Drax and its partners towards this year’s appeal for Mission to Seafarers, a charity which supports people working at sea.

The total raised was more than enough for the target of 600 Christmas parcels, with the additional funds going towards Mi-Fi communications to enable those at sea to stay better connected with their families and friends.

Volunteers from the charity and Drax packed parcels with the donated items and supplies and then distributed to crews on the ships.

Mark Gibbens, Drax Head of Logistics, said: “Our global supply chain operates around the world every single day of the year, even Christmas. The biomass delivered by Sea Farers helps generate renewable power for millions of British homes and businesses.

“We wanted to make sure that at this special time of the year, we took a moment to thank those who are sacrificing time with their families to supply our power station with the renewable fuel that we need. I’d like to thank all our partners who helped on this project. We hope all of those working at sea this Christmas have a safe and pleasant time, despite being away from their families.”

The partners who took part in the initiative alongside Drax were:

• DAN Shipping
• Ultrabulk
• Associated British Ports
• GB Railfrieght
• MOL
• SMS Towage
• Port of Tyne
• DB Cargo
• AHK

Revd. Tim Linkens, Chaplain to The Humber Ports, said: “The work of seafarers is vital to the UK throughout the year. They spend many months away from home working in all weathers.  Much of what they do is unseen and mostly we are unaware of how much they bring to our shores. 

“At Christmas time, these gifts reassure seafarers that, although they might be out of sight, they are not out of mind.  They are always received with much joy onboard and all of us involved in seafarer welfare are thankful to those who have donated so generously to make these gifts possible.”

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