MISSION GIFTS IN WILLS

Last year, the Fishermen’s Mission gifts in Wills helped provide nearly 200 people with emergency grants so they could put food on the table for their struggling families.Our fishermen face danger, difficulty and poverty on a daily basis, however thanks to the Fishermen’s Mission, they’re not alone. When times are tough, we care for our active and retired fishermen in the most practical of ways – and have done so for over 130 years. They enabled our frontline outreach teams to visit over 6,600 individuals who benefited from compassionate and knowledgeable support.

Even as little as 1% of your estate could be a big help to the Fishermen’s Mission and its ability to support fishing communities, while still ensuring your loved ones are provided for. And of course, it won’t cost you a penny during your lifetime.

Mark is 31 and lives in Portsmouth with his partner Laura and two children. He’s been a fisherman for eight years, working on a self-employed basis dredging for mussels and clams. He’s seen his share of drama and danger at sea.

Mark doesn’t own a boat himself, and like many self-employed people, has to manage an erratic income. His first contact with the Fishermen’s Mission came about when he sought help on behalf of a young deckhand who was experiencing mental health issues.

Not long afterwards, Mark and Laura started to experience financial hardship. Increased regulation of local fishing grounds and restrictions on catch species left Mark regularly working long hours for next to nothing. Feeling they had nowhere to turn, they contacted the Fishermen’s Mission for help.

Nick O’Neill, our Superintendent for our South Coast Outreach Programme, supported Mark and his family in person and via telephone calls, helping them address their rent and bill arrears by facilitating a grant which safeguarded the family from a devastating crisis of homelessness.

He also provided emotional and pastoral support to Mark and Laura as they did their best to cope with their situation.

Mark told us:

“We no longer see the charity as an organisation any more, but thanks to Nick’s help and support, we now see them as friends who helped us through one of the darkest times of our lives.”

Source