Matthew Good Foundation and John Good Group back maritime charity with film and fundraising

The Sailors’ Children’s Society, a Hull-based charity established over 200 years ago, supports disadvantaged children from various maritime sectors across the UK. The John Good Group and Matthew Good Foundation have collaborated to bolster the charity with initiatives including a documentary-style film and a fundraising cycle ride.

The Sailors’ Children’s Society, a Hull-based charity established over 200 years ago, is dedicated to supporting seafarers and their families across the UK. They provide aid to disadvantaged children from the Royal Navy, merchant navy, offshore wind industry, fishing fleets, and inland waterways.

Recognising their invaluable work, the John Good Group, a local business with a deep-rooted maritime heritage has recently supported the charity with multiple initiatives. The Group’s CEO, Adam Walsh, is particularly passionate about the charity’s mission, seeing a strong alignment with his company’s values and history. Commenting on his first meeting with the charity, he said:

“The more I understood what the charity does, the more it became incredibly clear to me just how strongly the work of Natasha and her team with the families resonates with the heritage of the group. We are steeped in maritime, and it runs through the DNA of the organisation. Our business relies on those seafarers, and the work the Society does to support families suffering the consequences of what is a dangerous industry just aligns so closely with what we do.

[The John Good Group] is a sixth-generation business and we’re excited about the prospect of reaching our 200 years of trading in the near future. We use the profits to make genuine social impact. Every extra penny is going to something incredible and very rewarding.

There is an enormous sense of satisfaction and wellbeing generated by seeing the difference that can make to people’s lives and communities. More businesses should open themselves up to different ideas about how to do it. Small amounts of money can make an amazing difference to these organisations and businesses can make a difference if they put their minds to it.”

Adam Walsh – CEO, John Good Group

A tired but happy Adam Walsh holds his bike up in celebration with the Humber bridge and sunset behind him.

Adam Walsh at the finish line of his 212 mile cycle ride raising funds for Sailors’ Children’s Society in 2023

Last year, Adam embarked on a solo bike ride from the Severn Bridge to the Humber Bridge, covering over 200 miles to raise more than £3000 for Sailors’ Children’s Society. It was after this event that The Matthew Good Foundation offered to also fund a film for the charity. The Foundation, a charity established by the John Good Group, played a crucial role in producing the Society’s first documentary-style film by covering the bulk of the film’s production costs, aiming to amplify the charity’s reach and impact.

“The cycle ride is how we became aware of the Society, and the idea of the film is to help them get their stories out there. We can give monetary grants, but a film can generate much more awareness and potentially revenue.”

Michelle Taft – Executive Director, Matthew Good Foundation

The film was unveiled at a special launch event hosted at John Good Group’s new offices in Hessle. The gathering brought together beneficiaries, funders, and corporate supporters, highlighting the collective effort to support the charity’s mission.

The documentary highlights the charity’s extensive support network through powerful personal stories. One poignant example is Victoria, a Ukrainian national and mother of two, who sought the Society’s help when her husband, a former Royal Navy officer, fell ill. Her story is just one of many that demonstrate the tangible difference the charity makes in people’s lives.

Jonathan Ball, Director of Grants at Greenwich Hospital who featured in the film and attended the launch praised the charity’s comprehensive support system.

“What’s unique about the Society is the journey they make alongside the families they have taken under their wing. They help people from the point of distress to being able to live with confidence and dignity in independence.”

Jonathan Ball – Director of Grants, Greenwich Hospital

Debbie looks out across the Yorkshire Dales from the top of a hill with joy.

Photograph taken of attendees at the film’s launch event at Quarry House

Adam is gearing up for a new fundraising event this year, building on his solo Bridge to Bridge last year, he plans to assemble a team for a September cycle challenge, raising even more funds for the Sailors’ Children’s Society, and furthering their support for seafaring families across the UK.

Reflecting on the recent film launch and its impact, Natasha Barley, CEO of the Sailors’ Children’s Society, expressed her gratitude:

“Adam’s individual commitment is remarkable. He’ll be on that bike for 212 miles, and he’s talking about making it an annual event. The launch was really special for us as well. It was superb and went beyond expectations. The space worked brilliantly, and everybody was generous with their feedback about it. The film is great, the interviews are fantastic and give real insight into the charity. It encapsulates why we do what we do and why we have the service, and hopefully, it will encourage other people in their businesses to get behind us as well.”

Natasha Barley – CEO, Sailors’ Children’s Society

You can watch the full film now by clicking here.

July 2024

Sailors’ Children’s Society is a national charity that provides support to children whose parent has made a living at sea or from the inland canals or rivers. They help mariners from fishing fleets, Royal Navy and Merchant Navy families including ferries, cruise ships, cargo ships and offshore industries.