May McFettridge launches Mission to Seafarers’ Woolly Hat Day!

Friday September 12th 2014

The Rev Colin Hall-Thompson, volunteer Jake and celebrity May McFettridge launch the Mission to Seafarers' Woolly Hat Day. Local celebrity May McFettridge joined the Rev Colin Hall–Thompson and some eager volunteers at The Flying Angel Seafarers’ Centre in Belfast to launch the charity’s Woolly Hat Day.

This event on October 24 aims to raise much needed funds for the Belfast branch of Mission to Seafarers, which provides support, both practical and spiritual, to seafarers who visit Belfast port.

Colin, Senior Chaplin for The Mission to Seafarers Northern Ireland, explained why the Mission had chosen a woolly hat as the symbol for this campaign.

“We have lots of voluntary knitting groups who generously send us knitted hats, gloves and scarves that we hand out to seafarers in our centre,” Colin said.

“The conditions in which seafarers work are often very harsh and the woolly hat is a symbol of our care and concern, as well as a simple gift given to them in friendship.”

May McFettridge joins staff at the Flying Angel Seafarers' Centre to launch Woolly Hat Day. 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 who may have been at sea for up to two years. At the centre, more than 5,500 seafarers a year enjoy time away from the ship and use telephone and internet facilities to get in touch with loved ones.

May McFettridge said it had been a pleasure to visit the Seafarers’ Centre and to support the Woolly Hat Day fundraiser.
It takes place in The Flying Angel Seafarers’ Centre from 12noon to 2.30pm on Friday October 24 and admission is £7.50. Everyone is welcome, and the event offers a unique opportunity to visit the centre and learn more about the lives of the people that work at sea.

Stew and apple crumble will be served and whilst there’s no guarantee the hats won’t be silly, they can guarantee you won’t leave feeling chilly!

For more information about The Mission to Seafarers’ Woolly Hat Day please contact Doreen Salters on 02890 751131 or e–mail Doreen@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 #WHD14.