“We applied for a grant  for a cooker and got a response immediately, saving us having to worry about buying one on credit, or going a few months without proper home cooking”.

I was in need of a recliner sofa which I could not afford to buy without taking some credit out. It was a godsend to me due to the discomfort at having to sit for long periods at home as an osteoporosis sufferer for 40 years.

The grant has taken a lot of pressure out of my mind and given me a chance to buy furniture that I have needed for years. The best part is how quickly SHS responded.

“I heard about SHS through another charity, and The grant I received has made a real difference to me.”

“I didn’t have a bed, and just before Christmas my cooker broke. The grant has made so much difference and my living conditions have improved 100%. You’ve been fantastic! Thank you!”

Andy served as a steward for 25 years. Andy was rehomed to an unfurnished flat. After reaching out for assistance, Andy was helped by caseworkers from the SSAFA, who assessed his needs, and eligibility for various grants to help him set up his new home.

“I am extremely grateful to the charities involved for helping to provide me with a lovely comfortable home where I am very happy"

Thanks to funding from SHS and the @shipwreckedmariners, Peter was able to purchase an electric powered vehicle to increase his mobility and restore his sense of independence!

“The grant helped me greatly! I was able to get a mobility scooter which has made a great difference in my life, especially when I am on my own and need to get out to go to the doctors for example”

Ursula is a former merchant navy seafarer with 16 years of service. Unfortunately, Ursula, who is now widowed, suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and faces significant mobility issues at home.

Due to her condition, she is particularly sensitive to the cold. Working together with The Shipwrecked Mariners Society, we helped pay for the purchase and fitting of a new combination boiler.

Jeff Barney was struggling with mobility issues and had become housebound until he received a grant for an EPV from SHS. He was very anxious the first time he left his home to meet with other retired fishermen at a weekly get together. He managed to leave his home with lots of support and encouragement. He now joins the group most weeks. The EPV has given him a new lease on life.

Frances Puddifer of Liverpool was a stewardess on Irish Car Ferries. Now retired, Frances was finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the stairs in her home. With a grant from three maritime charities, including one of £425 from the Society, she’s been able to install a stairlift.

Frances Puddifer says “It was the best Christmas present ever!”

Bob Mackie of Grimsby worked for 45 years a fisherman in spite of a number of accidents and the early loss of one leg. When he retired the Society gave him a grant of £1,500 towards the cost of a scooter.

Bob Mackie says “My new scooter is fantastic. I couldn’t have afforded it without the grant. Thanks to the Society I now have my independence back.”

Paul Hagan of Leicester served for 10 years with the merchant navy. After leaving, he lost his leg in an accident. A fitness fan, he became a wheelchair athlete but had to give this up too because of nerve damage.

His service at sea meant that he was able to get a £400 grant from the Seafarers Hospital Society, which he put with grants from other sources to buy a hand cycle.

Brian Broome was at sea all his working life from the age of 14, first as a merchant seaman, then as a fisherman. In 1960 he changed to mooring vessels, where he spent over 40 years mooring tankers and other large ships. He was at sea for a total of 51 years.

When he retired in 2012 he was in good health and active, but in 2016 he developed type 2 diabetes.

Stephen Astley is a line fisherman from Newlyn, locally nicknamed "Cod", who was admitted to hospital with progressive sepsis and organ failure. Luckily for Cod, his life was saved but he needed extensive surgery – both legs were amputated at the knee and he lost several fingers.

Thanks to the Society and our partners, Cod could return to fishing safely.