Story
Once again, a team from the International Maritime Organization will be riding 100 KM around Richmond Park in London, and from other locations around the globe, in support of those who do so much for us all - seafarers. Delivering the goods and materials that feed, clothe, warm, heal and provide for all, seafarers have faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including inability to be repatriated after their contracts end or inability to get to ships to begin work, lack of access to shore leave and medical care, including access to vaccinations. Seafaring is a difficult, challenging profession, with long periods away from home and family, and demanding work hours while operating some of the largest and most complex pieces of modern machinery on the planet - merchant ships. Organizations such as the Mission to Seafarers provide important support to seafarers in ports around the world, particularly critical during the pandemic and the resultant crew change crisis.
Team IMO 2021 includes Fred Kenney, Chris Trelawny, Ingrid-Lopez Cardona, George Demetriades and Tamara Vassillissin, Nihan Unlu, Monia Spinardi (IMO Secretariat), Geoffrey Guy and Alessandro Lo Piccolo (Bahamas), Gillian Grant (Canada), Amb. Desra Percaya, Lollan Panjitan, Galuh Rarasanti (Indonesia), Carlos Sequeira (Portugal), Ian Lancaster (riding from New Zealand), Essam Al Ammari (Saudi Arabia), Hanqiang Tan (Singapore), Watchara Chiemanukulkit (Thailand), George Charalampidis (ICS), Unni Einemo (IBIA), Phil Belcher (who will be riding from Paris) (Intertanko) and Bruce Anderson (riding in the Pacific Northwest)(IAPH)
Please support these riders as they support seafarers!
The Mission to Seafarers has called everyone in maritime to back their Global Champions Unite campaign. They are calling for people to take on a challenge, whatever their fitness ability, in support of seafarers worldwide. Our efforts together will increase awareness for the challenges seafarers have faced, and continue to face. The funds raised through the campaign will contribute to MtSs Sustaining Crew Welfare Fund, which aims to maintain and adapt MtS services, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 virus.Visit https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/events/global-champions-unite