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Two Hull institutions with deep maritime roots, Smales and the Sailors’ Children’s Society, are joining forces this festive season on a mission to ensure no seafaring family goes without a Christmas meal or the joy of giving their children a few special treats.
Together, they are launching a fundraising campaign to provide every family supported by Sailors’ Children’s Society with a Christmas voucher, helping to put food on the table, create lasting memories, and bring the magic of Christmas into homes that have faced hardship throughout the year.
This initiative follows the success of National Fish & Chip Day, where Smales raised over £1,000 for the charity through a “pay what you can” campaign, marking the beginning of what has become a strong and meaningful partnership between the two organisations.
This Christmas, the Smales sales team are going one step further. Throughout the festive season, they’ll be inviting customers to add a donation to their orders, with a target of £10,000, enough to give hundreds of children the Christmas they deserve.
In addition, Smales have rallied support from across the Fish & Chip and wider seafood industry, teaming up with leading suppliers and brands to create a raffle like no other. Featuring cases of fish and exclusive industry prizes, the raffle offers an incredible opportunity to win bundles of high value stock to use in their businesses, all while supporting families in crisis.
The charity & Smales will also be attending the industry’s favourite pre-Christmas event, the Chippy Chat Ball on Sunday 7th December, with some great prizes to auction off on the night.
Thousands of pounds worth of stock has been generously donated by suppliers, showcasing the remarkable spirit of collaboration within the seafood industry. Tickets cost £25 each, with every entry helping to make Christmas brighter for seafaring families across the UK.
Rhiannon Beeson, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at Sailors’ Children’s Society, said:
“This partnership with Smales has gone from strength to strength, and we’re absolutely thrilled to be working with their team again this Christmas. They are a company with a proud maritime heritage and a genuine passion for giving back to the seafaring families we support.
Every donation, no matter how small, will help us bring a little festive magic to children who might otherwise face a very different Christmas. The generosity of businesses like Smales and their customers is what makes it possible for us to continue our work and ensure every child feels cared for and included at such a special time of year.”
Each year, Sailors’ Children’s Society supports hundreds of children and families from Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, and fishing backgrounds who are facing financial or emotional crisis. Through monthly grants, clothing and school uniform support, and holiday breaks, the charity helps families rebuild stability and hope.
At Christmas, this support becomes even more vital. For many families, rising living costs mean having to choose between heating and eating, and the idea of a traditional Christmas dinner or small gifts for their children can feel completely out of reach.
That’s where the charity’s Christmas voucher appeal comes in. Each voucher ensures that a family can shop for food, gifts, and essentials that make the festive period feel normal again. It’s not just about what’s on the table; it’s about giving children the feeling of belonging, excitement, and joy that every child deserves.
Bobby Joyce, Sales and Marketing Director at Smales, said: “After seeing the impact of our Fish & Chip Day partnership earlier this year, we wanted to go a step further and ask the Fish & Chip sector to give something extra at Christmas. It’s a time of year that should be filled with happiness, and we know that for many of the families Sailors’ Children’s Society supports, it can be an incredibly challenging period.
By asking our customers to add a small donation to their orders, we can all make a big difference. It’s a simple act of kindness that can help bring Christmas back for so many families, and we’re proud to play a part in that.
A huge thank you to all of the businesses and suppliers who have supported this campaign — your generosity means the world.”
With over 500 children currently receiving support through Sailors’ Children’s Society, the need is greater than ever. Each contribution from Smales and its customers helps the charity continue to deliver long-term, practical support, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.
The two organisations share a deep connection to Hull’s maritime community and a mutual understanding of the challenges seafaring families face. This collaboration is a powerful example of how local businesses can come together to make a national impact.
Rhiannon added “The generosity of our corporate partners is what keeps our mission alive. We know times are tough for everyone, but this campaign proves that even small gestures of support can make a huge difference. We’re so grateful to the Smales team for their continued belief in what we do.”
For businesses and individuals who’d like to get involved in the Christmas campaign or make a donation, visit www.sailorschildren.org.uk to learn more about how to support families in crisis this festive season or go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/smalessailorschildrenchristmasappeal?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL to make a donation directly.
