Liverpool Seafarers Centre took Christmas gifts for seafarers on board a vessel docked in Liverpool thanks to Waitrose in Formby.
The store got in touch to help, donating mince pies, chocolates, sweets and personal hygiene products to the value of £440. Each seafarer also received a Christmas card handwritten by a Waitrose partner.
LSC chief executive John Wilson took 25 on board the ACL Atlantic Sail and presented them to crew members, who are due to spend Christmas at sea, along with a further 15 to another vessel.
The donation from Waitrose, which already donated surplus food to seafarers via FareShare, was made as part of the John Lewis Partnership Give a Little Love campaign.
Georgia Copley, assistant team manager and Community Matters lead at the Formby store, said: “We want to give a little love wherever we can and we’re so pleased that we’ve been able to help our local community and donate some goodies to the Liverpool Seafarers Centre so that they are still able to enjoy some treats on Christmas day.”
John Wilson said: “We are hugely grateful to Waitrose for this generous donation, which we took on board the Atlantic Sail before it departed. Seafarers have been among the hardest hit during 2020, making great sacrifices to ensure supplies are brought to our shores, so it is important to show our gratitude in any way we can.”
LSC has donated more than 500 gifts to seafarers this Christmas, thanks to the generosity and kindness of people in the community who have risen to the challenge and made this Christmas special for seafarers.