The Maritime Economist Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 60

THEMARITIME Economist CHARITY helped him get his son back, took root. This led Phil to initiate a shipping industry campaign in 2011. Phase 1 of the campaign raised £500,000 towards funding a new Seas & Oceans themed floor in the new hospital building. Phase 2 started in January 2013 with the aim of raising £1million to fund critical research into childhood cancers and immune diseases. “What’s great about the research we are raising funds for is that it can help make a real difference to children’s lives, as my family knows only too well. If Oscar had been treated two years earlier he would not be alive today. He benefitted from receiving treatment that was in an early stage of development and has since been used to save other children’s lives.” The campaign has certainly built up strong support from the shipping community. On 16th September last year the industry came together to take part in the eagerly anticipated first OSCAR Dragon Boat Race. 250 participants enjoyed the event in the Docklands sunshine in London, with teams including AET, Augustea Shipping, A.M.Nomikos, Spinnaker, ICAP , JLT, Clarksons, Ince & Co, HFW and R.S.Platou taking to the water in spectacular colourful Chinese dragon boats to raise just over £120,000. Phil said “I was absolutely delighted with the response from the shipping industry. It shaped up to be a really fantastic day and will hopefully turn into an annual event in the industry’s calendar.” Phil explains: “the shipping industry – owners, brokers, insurers, lawyers and commodity groups - has been very willing to commit both time and money; we have already raised just over 50% of what we need in stage two from major contributions, fundraising challenges and events but there is still room for more support”. If you would like to help the campaign hit its £1 million target please visit the website www.gosh.org/oscar E-mail: [email protected] or call the team on: