Lord Mayor helps launch Tea at Sea!

Friday June 27th 2014

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nichola Mallon, joined the Rev Colin Hall–Thompson at The Flying Angel Seafarers’ Centre in Belfast to launch the charity’s Tea At Sea event.

This takes place on Friday July 18 in aid of The Mission to Seafarers’ Sea Sunday appeal. Sea Sunday commemorates the dangerous but vital work that seafarers do. The families of seafarers and those who support them are also prayed for and remembered at this time.

Funds raised at Tea at Sea will be used to support the work of The Mission to Seafarers specifically in Belfast. This work includes the provision of support, both practical and spiritual, to the seafarers that visit the Belfast port.

The Flying Angel Seafarers’ Centre in Prince’s Dock Street is one of 100 such centres across the globe and acts as a ‘home away from home’ for seafarers that may have been at sea for up to two years. It is here that seafarers can enjoy time away from the ship and use telephone and internet facilities to get in touch with loved ones after months away.

Colin Hall–Thompson, Senior Chaplin of The Mission to Seafarers Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor to the launch of our Tea at Sea event. This tea party is being held to raise much needed funds for our Sea Sunday appeal.

Lord Mayor Nichola Mallon and Rev Colin Hall-Thompson enjoy a cuppa. “Each year on Sea Sunday the valiant work of the seafarers and their families is recognised and praised. Without these seafarers much of the goods we take for granted in our everyday lives would be inaccessible. Tea at Sea is a fantastic opportunity for members of the public to come down and support a worthy local cause with the added bonus of getting to enjoy an array of sweet treats.”

Tea at Sea will be held in The Flying Angel Seafarers’ centre, Prince’s Dock Street, Belfast, BT1 3AA on July 18 between 2pm–5pm and admission is £5.

Everyone is welcome, and this event offers a unique opportunityto visit the centre and learn more about the lives of people that work at sea. Guests will also enjoy sandwiches, scones and traybakes and who knows, there might even be a mad hatter or two!

For more information about The Mission to Seafarers’ ‘Tea at Sea’ event please contact Marie–Claire Caldwell on 02890 751131/ 07720876778 or e–mail Marieclaire@missiontoseafarers-ni.org

To donate online please go to www.justgiving.com/Mission-to-Seafarers-Belfast

Supporters can also help spread the word by tweeting @MTSBelfast using the hashtag, #TeaAtSea.