CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO MERCY SHIPS BY STENA RORO
SPONSORING VOLUNTEERS
In 2013, Stena RoRo began building the world's largest civilian hospital ship, the Global Mercy. Inaugurated last summer, she has now been deployed by the charity Mercy Ships, which through its two hospital ships provides free healthcare to Africa's poorest. Operations is made possible by volunteers. They pay for flights and living expenses out of their own pockets and work without pay.
Stena RoRo’s commitment continues through the sponsorship of two Swedish volunteers who will thus be able to contribute with their important professional skills for a longer period of time.
Tommie Kristensson is a coxswain from Gothenburg and has been a seaman since he was 17 years old. He began volunteering for Mercy Ships in the autumn of 2020. Thanks to Stena RoRo’s sponsorship, he can continue as a volunteer until the end of 2024, serving as the second mate and safety officer on board.
“Mercy Ships enables me to apply my skills in seamanship in working with humanitarian aid and this is something that feels very meaningful,” says Tommie. “Being a part of the community on board, with all the nationalities… is a unique experience. Everyone is here for the same reason – to help out and do what we can for the poor.”
“For certain positions on board, it is particularly important for us to have professionals who stay on for a longer period of time,” says Stefan Sonesson, who heads Mercy Ships Sweden. “Dedicated corporate partners such as Stena RoRo, that provide financial support to our volunteers, mean a lot for the quality and sustainability of our efforts.”
Stena RoRo’s support has also enabled Maria Ekstrand from Gothenburg, to volunteer. She has recently completed her service as a team leader in the dining rooms on both the Africa Mercy and Global Mercy since the spring of 2021.
“We are proud of the Global Mercy and happy to be able to continue contributing to Mercy Ships’ amazing work in helping the most vulnerable,” says Per Westling, Managing Director of Stena RoRo.
