The HCMM has a membership of Merchant and Royal Navy Commanding Officers and the integration of these two Maritime Services is important to the future development of Maritime Training and the Maritime policy, strategy, regulation and maritime matters in general.

To fund this important project, The Wellington Trust is seeking to raise a total of £3.5m in three phases from a variety of sources. These include the Membership, Heritage Lottery Fund, The Big Lottery Fund, various London based naval trusts and foundations, marine companies and other select donors who will be generous enough to support the appeal and the sentiments expressed by the Princess Royal below.

Successful completion of this work will enable HQS Wellington to play a more active and effective role in raising awareness of the importance of the Merchant Navy to Britain’s economic future, at a time when increasing trade with the rest of the world is becoming pivotal.  It will also facilitate more effective use of the Wellington in the Merchant Navy’s recruitment drive.

The Challenges

The Dolphins:  The structures to which the Wellington is moored are over 80 years old.  A recent survey concluded that they will only be viable as a safe mooring for another 6 months.   It is intended to commence the replacement work in March 2019.

The Internal Fixtures

The fittings and utilisation of the existing spaces is the result of over 80 years of ad hoc installations, adjustments and reactive planning.  To solve the subsequent problems will require remodelling of the internal spaces.  Given the ambitions for the future and the heritage aspects of the ship, the current configuration is not fit for purpose and there must be essential improvements to the accessibility of the ship. 

The Plan

The Trust have decided a three phase strategy prioritised to replace the Dolphins as soon as possible:

Phase One:   {£1 million) Replace Dolphins and associated mooring arrangements through a Crowdfunding appeal managed by Simple Crowdfunding (www.SimpleCrowdfunding.co.uk)

Phase Two:   {£2 million} Restructure the Operational space fit for purpose and the 21st Century

Phase Three: {£0.5 million} Undertake a campaign to promote the new Wellington to all its’ stakeholders including:

·       Schools, Colleges and Universities in London
·       The local Community
·       Local and National partners:

Corporate and Not For Profit Organisations and Maritime Groups

Funding Strategy

·       Friends of the Wellington and Membership
·       Heritage Lottery Fund
·       Educational Trusts and Foundations
·       Big Lottery Fund
·       London Heritage Trusts and Foundations
·       Naval Trusts and Foundations
·       UK Marine Companies
·       Foreign Owned Marine Companies
·       City Firms with Maritime links
·       HNWIs who would like to support and be part of the Wellington
·       Crowdfunding (Phase One)

Donors

For major Donors, there will be future involvement in the ship as Special Friends of Wellington and there will be a reception/dinner onboard to celebrate the termination of Phase One.  Further details will be provided when all arrangements have been confirmed.

To find out more and to donate, please contact Atuksha Poonwassie, MD, Simple Crowdfunding on +44 800 612 6114 or email: Atuksha@SimpleCrowdfunding.co.uk.