‘Charity’s help with school uniforms that mum couldn’t afford enabled us to fit in’ – How Hull seafarers’ charity made a difference to one of its newest trustees

The new trustee of an historic Hull charity knows all too well about the vital support it can give to people in crisis.

The Sailors’ Children’s Society, which has been helping families of seafarers for two centuries, has welcomed barrister Cathy Kioko-Gilligan on board. Cathy, who is a Deputy Lieutenant of the East Riding, was a beneficiary of the charity’s services when her father, a merchant seaman, passed away when she was just three.

She said: “I had a little sister and times were hard, especially as we reached school age and mum couldn’t afford uniforms. She was a nurse in training and went to social services for help but they said she earned slightly too much so we couldn’t have any money.

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“Mum was heartbroken and didn’t know what to do but her matron at work suggested she talk to the Society. My dad’s death wasn’t maritime-related but they still helped us with the uniform, including for my sister when she reached school age, and we were also invited to go on their annual days out.

“We have some wonderful memories from those and from the annual fete in their grounds in Cottingham Road. We knew as children growing up that we were in a lucky position because we were being assisted by the charity because we received the grant for many years.

“In reality the charity enabled us to fit in because we had school uniforms. My mum didn’t cry as much. The Society took a massive weight off mum’s mind.”

Cathy added: “As I grew up I lost my awareness of them and didn’t hear about them. The fete stopped and I assumed it no longer existed.

“It’s been really good rediscovering the charity and I feel as though I’ve never been away. I am passionate about helping the charity raise money to help people in the same way that they helped me and my family.”

The Society, which provides a lifeline for those experiencing bereavement, family breakdown or diagnosis of a life-limiting or terminal illness, has also welcomed another trustee, Rhiannon Beeson, who runs marketing agency The Be Brand. Rhiannon worked for KCOM and Giacom but it was her spell in between with APD Communications – a specialist software supplier to the emergency services – that provided insight into the risks at sea.

“Working in critical comms gave me my first insight into HM Coastguard, the Royal Navy and other emergency services on the coast,” she said. Rhiannon became aware of Natasha Barley, CEO of The Sailors’ Children’s Society, from previous charity work; they rekindled the relationship when she was setting up The Be Brand and the pair met on a women’s accelerator course at the University of Hull.

Rhiannon said: “I really liked what Natasha was doing with the charity. She’s an incredible CEO and someone I look up to and she’s transformed the charity.

“I also attended the charity’s annual Sportsman’s Lunch where Natasha’s speech about the work they do and helping families in their hour of need really resonated with me from my experience with APD Communications. The Be Brand recently adopted the Society as our charity of the year, raising funds and donating time and the trusteeship is building on that.”

Natasha Barley said: “The Sailors’ Children’s Society is going from strength to strength but, like all charities, we need to keep moving forward with new people and new ideas. We work nationally to support disadvantaged children from the merchant navy, Royal Navy, the offshore wind industry, fishing fleets and inland waterways but Hull is our historic home.

“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit two people from the local community who know what the city and its people are about.”