Shipping shows its heart, closing in on £2 million raised for new treatments for seriously ill children

Press Release – The international shipping industry is close to achieving a remarkable milestone by raising £2 million ($2.5m) to support research into new treatments for cancer and immune system problems at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London.

The OSCAR Campaign at Great Ormond Street Hospital was named after Oscar Parry, the son of Phil Parry – chairman and founder at maritime people experts, Spinnaker – after Oscar received life-saving care from GOSH at an early age.

The core of the funding has come from the generous support of the international shipping industry, culminating each year in the OSCAR Dragon Boat Race, this year held as part of London International Shipping Week – on Friday, September 13th – with sponsor opportunities still available.

Commenting on closing in on the £2m milestone, Phil Parry said:

“Shipping is an industry that perhaps has a reputation for being a little cutthroat at times, but the OSCAR Campaign has shown that it is also a generous one. This year we have 28 teams taking part, which includes many shipowners, P&I clubs and law firms. When we started out with the OSCAR Campaign, I genuinely could not have imagined raising so much.

“I’m very grateful to GOSH but also to the shipping industry. Thanks to the pioneering work of the bone marrow transplant team at GOSH, Oscar is now 20 and the shipping community is helping to save the lives of other children by funding research to find new treatments for children with previously incurable diseases.”

Professor Paul Veys, the head of the Bone Marrow Unit at GOSH added:

“Funds from the OSCAR Dragon Boat Race has enabled GOSH to extend its research into cell therapies.

“Without this extra funding from shipping, we would be unable to cope with the research demands placed upon the bone marrow unit by the rapid expansion in the conditions which respond to bone marrow transplants and other cell therapies.

“Hitting the £2m milestone and continuing to raise significant funds year after year is critical to our work.”

Managing Director of Blue Seas Adjusters Ltd Paul Bown said:

“Last year, we sponsored the coffee cart at the OSCAR Dragon Boat Race but this year we’re delighted to be donating a £150 theatre voucher for each of the rowers of the winning boat, as well as making a £1,000 donation to the charity.

“The afternoon is fun and full of comradery as teams pull together to support a very worthwhile cause and it’s a pleasure to be a part of this fantastic event.”