Monday 28 April 2014

Mission money means many fishermen in the south west cope with the winter storms

About £60,000 has been given to fishermen who were struggling to pay bills after storms stopped them from going to sea.




The Fishermen's Mission, which provides emergency funds, said it had given grants of £500 to fishermen and their families across Cornwall.

Months of stormy weather during the winter has caused a financial crisis for fishermen, the charity added.

The money has been given to those in housing arrears.


Julian Wearing, centre manager at the Newlyn Fishermen's Mission, said staff had also visited fishermen to offer emotional support.

He said: "Some didn't know if they could keep their house or feed their children.

"They had not been able to work for up to four months.

"As soon as the fishermen went back out to sea there was a vast amount of fish on the market and the prices dropped.

"Fishing is a tough gig. It is a way of life but it's a very dangerous one."

Local businesses have done their bit to help:

Photo courtesy of the Cornishman

Intrepid cyclists braved strong winds and rain to help add to the £60k already raised by Newlyn’s Fishermen’s Mission to relieve the plight which fishermen have been in since the storms which battered the Cornish coastline for two months this winter. Children and less confident riders cycled from the Mission to Marazion and back while stronger riders took on a 30 mile ride taking them round Penwith via Mousehole, Sennen and Pendeen. Whatever route they took however, they were all able to enjoy a fish and chip lunch cooked by acclaimed chef Ben Tunnicliffe, of the Tolcarne Inn.

Read more: http://www.cornishman.co.uk/Newlyn-cyclists-brave-wind-rain-Fishermen-s/story-21020517-detail/story.html#ixzz30AaIsBT6