£300,000 funding to support fishing families in distress
A charity providing emergency support, practical, financial, spiritual and emotional care to members of Scotland’s fishing community has been offered access to £300,000.
The money, which will benefit The Fishermen’s Mission’s welfare work, is part of a £7.75 million Scottish Government package announced by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism Fergus Ewing and Marine Scotland.
Aimed at helping fishermen, seafood businesses and ports and harbours impacted by Covid-19 and Brexit, the fund will help to support services offered by The Fishermen’s Mission, which works with fishermen who are dealing with mounting debts around rent, mortgages and utility bills.
David Dickens, chief executive officer of The Fishermen’s Mission, said: ‘I would like to personally thank Marine Scotland for its support. This fund will be of real help to us. Last year alone it cost us more than £600,000 to provide our services in Scotland, where we have a very strong presence.
‘During this exceptionally difficult year, we have already accessed grants totalling £322,000 in Scotland. I would take this opportunity to say that if you are an active Scottish fisherman and you are struggling to provide for yourself or your family then please get in touch and see if we can support you.’
The Fishermen’s Mission is the only UK charity that provides financial, practical and pastoral support to fishermen and their families.
It also provides a 24-hoursa-day, seven-days-a-week emergency response for accidents and emergencies at sea.
Visit www.fishermensmission.org.uk, freephone 0800 6341020 or contact one of the regional port officers.
Chris Holden, who is based in Campbeltown and covers Kintyre, Oban and the islands, can be contacted by emailing kintyre@ fishermensmission.org.uk or calling 07788 674376.