In a working life spent riding treacherous seas it’s fair to say fishermen are used to getting wet. However, getting soaked at home when water pours through your ceiling due to a faulty boiler is a different matter completely! Especially during the depths of one of the coldest winters for many years when heating and hot water are essential.
This was the emergency recently faced by a retired North Shields fisherman.
Thankfully, as the cold set in, he knew exactly who to call in his hour of need. Being a regular at the North Shields Retired Fishermen’s Club meant an SOS to local Fishermen’s Mission Superintendent Peter Dade was soon on its way.
Wasting no time, Peter contacted the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society who provided a grant for a new boiler. Peter oversaw the boiler installation which resulted in one dry, warm and very relived fisherman and his wife.
North Shields is the biggest prawn port in England and Wales with up to 60 boars in the harbour throughout the seasons. Fishermen visit the crew ‘hoos’ for shower and refreshment. Many engaged in this year’s Fishermen’s Health Checks Scheme ay North Shields. Away from the harbour, Peter’s work stretches along the North East coastline taking in ports from Amble to Hartlepool. There is a solid base of active fishermen and their families alongside the retired fishing community to care for, making this very much a team effort. Peter explains,
“Without our volunteers we couldn’t do the work we do. they’re an invaluable part of the team here. Volunteers such as Mike and Dot Smith have clocked up over 60 years of fundraising support between them which really is remakable.”
Last year was a special one for Peter as he celebrated 25 years of service for the Fishermen’s Mission. Colleagues past and present joined Peter and his wife Sue along with the North Shields team in a special service at the local Baptist Church. Peter recognises that through there have been enormous changes over the years, the core Christian caring work of the Fishermen’s Mission remains unaltered,
“Always providing a lifeline of welfare and support for fishermen and their families, I think our founder Ebenezer Mather would have been very proud of just how far we have come.”
We are always thankful for the amazing support from our volunteers and donors. Without your help the Fishermen’s Mission’s work would not be possible.
