This year’s #GivingTuesday hashtag campaign on Twitter marked the end of a very special fundraiser. Stena Line’s ‘Round up for Charity’ campaign ran for the whole of November to raise money for Mercy Ships.

"The humanitarian organisation Mercy Ships sails fully-equipped hospital ships staffed with volunteers to provide free, life-saving treatments to some of the poorest countries in the world."

After proudly announcing a partnership between the pair in 2017, Stena Line have organised a number of schemes to raise money for the charity, including coffee campaigns and general awareness. This year, Stena Line hope that they will be able to break last year’s donation record.

Since Mercy Ships founding in the late 1970s, they have helped over 2.5million vulnerable people in need, across fifty-five countries and have professionally trained 40,000 individuals with life saving skills.

According to Stena Line CEO, Niclas Martensson:

"We believe Round Up for Charity is a simple and effective way for our customers to help contribute to Mercy Ships’ inspiring work. Last year we managed to raise £11k during a two-month coffee campaign, and this year we hope to raise at least the same amount of money, in half the time."

When the partnership commenced in February 2017, Stena outlined its goal was to raise general awareness for Mercy Ships and promoting both volunteering and charitable giving amongst both its partners and passengers.

Stena entered into the partnership as they believed Mercy Ships carried the same ethos to the shipping company, according to Martensson:

"In Mercy Ships, we have found a partner that is committed to helping those who need it the most, and like us see the benefits and the flexibility of having the ocean and ships as your workplace."

The scheme has also seen Stena Line launch their own volunteer programme, with two Stena Line employees volunteering to help the organisation.  The pair boarded Africa Mercy as it docked in Guinea, an area where hundreds have received life changing treatment since the vessel arrived in August.

You can find out more about Stena Line’s partnership with Mercy Ships on their Round Up for Charity website.