HMS WELLINGTON@90

HMS WELLINGTON@90

1934 – 2024: 90th Anniversary Appeal

My name is Alastair Chapman and as Chairman of the Wellington Trust, I am asking if you will support us, please, as we seek essential funding to maintain an historic icon on the River Thames. The former HMS WELLINGTON, moored at Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment in the heart of London, has been a part of London’s river scene since she was towed there in December 1948 after her distinguished career as a Royal Navy warship during World War II

This is the 90th year since she was launched and WELLINGTON needs your help to secure her future for generations to come. You can support this historic ship’s 90th Anniversary by contributing to the anniversary appeal.

We’ll be hosting a 90th Anniversary celebratory open day onboard during this year to introduce WELLINGTON to everybody who supports our GoFundMe appeal. Dates for this event will be published in due course.

Here are some facts about WELLINGTON:

• WELLINGTON is a Grimsby Class Sloop, built in Devonport in 1934 for the Royal Navy as a 1200 ton patrol ship.

• WELLINGTON is the only UK survivor of the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest battle in WW II, and is credited with escorting 103 convoys.

• She is Number 502 on the Historic Ships Register and was granted World Ship Status in 2004.

• Today, WELLINGTON is used for hosting education programmes on maritime topics for under-served communities, as well as exhibitions, heritage events and ship’s tours. Often the first time a youngster has stepped onboard a ship is on WELLINGTON.

• WELLINGTON is also a popular floating event venue on the Thames, available for private hire.

WELLINGTON, as a ship afloat, requires constant maintenance and inspection. These have been challenging times for charities needing to generate revenue to fund and support their charitable activities. The pandemic, the cost of living crisis, inflation, and a year of ship closure for inspection and repair have all affected deeply our fundraising endeavours. Yet our programme of essential repairs and legal compliance works is unrelenting.

WELLINGTON is a living memorial to those mariners – both Merchant and Royal Navy personnel - who gave their utmost, and often their lives, in keeping open vital merchant shipping trade routes during the Second World War.

HMS WELLINGTON and her crew played their part for this proud maritime nation during those dark days. Can you please do the same for WELLINGTON today? We appreciate that times are tough for many, but your contribution to this campaign will make a big difference. Please help us today.