Last year, gifts in WIlls helped the Fishermen’s Mission provide nearly 200 people with emergency grants so they could put food on the table for their struggling families.
Brian is 27 and lives alone in Troon, South West Scotland. He is a commercial fisherman, going on local prawn boats. He works long, unsociable hours, often in dangerous conditions. If the weather is particularly bad, the boat won’t go out and he will earn nothing. Brian doesn’t own a vessel and sometimes struggled to manage his erratic income.
When things became particularly difficult, the Troon Fishermen’s Mission team stepped in to help Brian. Karen (pictured) expertly supported him, addressing his rent arrears by facilitating a grant which prevented him from becoming homeless. She also provided food vouchers and emotional support as Brian did his best to cope. Today Brian is getting back on track and is feeling a lot less vulnerable.
He told us: It’s no exaggeration to say that the Fishermen’s Mission picked me up at the lowest point of my life. They were a lifeline to me when I had nowhere else to turn.”