Great Yarmouth port chaplain under threat

A port chaplain position that dates back well over a century could cease to exist if money is not found to fund it.

There has been a Great Yarmouth port chaplain for around 130 years, but a poor response to pleas for support has left the post under threat.

The Good Work (Norfolk and Waveney Industrial Mission) needs to raise �12,000 to keep the post, which is currently held by the Rev Peter Paine. The current funding is due to run out in December, which means more needs to be secured by October.

Appeals have been made to individuals and local businesses but so far there has been very little response.

Mr Paine said: 'My appeal was first of all to the people. We were looking for 100 people with a standing order of �5 a month, but we have had nothing substantial and now we need to look at companies. I am looking at individuals, clubs, churches, organisations and companies.'

Mr Paine previously worked with the RAF Air-Sea Rescue service but has been the Great Yarmouth port chaplain for nine years.

Port chaplains are present in most ports around the country and are responsible for overseeing the welfare of all sailors visiting their ports.

Earlier this month Good Work chairman Barry Capon said seafarers welfare organisation The Mission to Seafarers provided half the costs of the position, but Good Work had to fund the rest.

• Anyone wishing to give to the cause can contact Mr Paine at his office, Cobholm and Lichfield Health and Resource Centre, Pasteur Road, Great Yarmouth, NR31 0DW or e-mail portchaplain@keme.co.uk