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: