Ian Offland, Director – Fleet operations for Swire, was part of the 17 strong Sailors’ Society London Marathon team
- Sailors’ Society marathon runners raise £25k for seafarers in need
- Running team drawn from across the industry, including Sailors’ Society’s port chaplain, Riva dos Santos
Sailors’ Society’s 2015 London Marathon team has raised £25, 000 for seafarers and their families in need and donations are still pouring in.
A 17 strong team took to the streets in the 35th London Marathon, cheered on by crowds of thousands and following in the footsteps of world record holder and three-time London Marathon winner, Paula Radcliffe.
The Sailors’ Society runners were drawn from across the industry with representatives from Bunge, IMO, Clarksons, HR Shipbrokers, Lloyd’s Register, Swire, Thoresen, Meygen and Sailors’ Society, as well as those with family connections to the sea.
Ian Offland, Director – Fleet operations for Swire, “As a member of the shipping community and having served at sea, it’s been great to be part of the Sailors’ Society marathon team and raise funds towards their worldwide work with seafarers. Participating in the London marathon is an experience that will remain with me forever.”
Sailors’ Society’s very own Riva dos Santos, port chaplain Paranagua, Brazil was running the London Marathon for the first time.
Riva dos Santos, Sailors’ Society’s port chaplain travelled from Brazil to run his first marathon. This was a new challenge for Riva, whose support usually takes the form of daily care for seafarers through ship visiting and offering practical, welfare and spiritual support to seafarers and their families in Paranagua.
“The opportunity to run for Sailors’ Society and fundraise to improve the seafarers’ lives is amazing, ” said Riva. “I would like to share with people the seafarers’ needs and how they can give some aid to them through the Sailors’ Society. My ministry as a port chaplain is to enrich and enhance the well-being of seafarers by visiting ships in port, offering merchant seafarers practical help and welfare and pastoral support. “
The runners enjoyed a well-deserved post-race massage and celebrated with friends and family at Pall Mall’s magnificent Institute Of Directors, just around the corner from the finish line.
“It was wonderful to see the Sailors’ Society runners cross the finish line after months of hard training – congratulations to them all! We are so grateful to them and their supporters for their generous donations, ” said Sophie Bridge, Sailors’ Society Events Officer.
Alistair Scarff from Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Iain Carmichael of Lloyd’s Register Hong Kong. This was Iain’s second marathon in support of Sailors’ Society.
If you are considering running the London Marathon in 2016, Sailors’ Society can offer you a guaranteed place and would be delighted to have you as part of the team. Contact Sophie Bridge at sbridge@sailors-society.org or on +44 (0)23 8051 5958.
Sailors’ Society is an international charity that provides a personal lifeline for the world’s 1.5 million seafarers and their families, in port, at sea and at home. The charity offers practical help, emotional and spiritual support, financial assistance and family liaison. Our port chaplains visit thousands of ships every year, directly addressing the needs of seafarers – irrespective of a person’s belief or nationality – as well as maintaining vital links within the Ports that they operate
