Security Foiling Supports World’s Largest Charity Hospital Ship

Independent world-leading experts in foil and hologram security, Security Foiling Ltd, has announced it will support the international charity Mercy Ships as its charity of choice for this year.

Security Foiling and Mercy Ships announced the corporate partnership at Security Document World 2011 - the leading annual conference and exhibition in the security document, advanced border control, identity and document anti-counterfeiting industry -  which took place in London on 4th – 6th April.

Mercy Ships provides free medical care and humanitarian aid to some of the world’s poorest people and operates the world’s largest charity hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, currently docked in Sierra Leone.  The Africa Mercy, a former Danish rail ferry, is staffed by an international crew of dedicated volunteers from over 40 nations ranging from seamen, engineers, surgeons, doctors and nurses who give up their time to help save the lives of others. 

To launch the partnership, Mercy Ships attended Security Document World 2011 alongside Security Foiling, where the charity addressed delegates on the work of Mercy Ships at an evening event.  Donations were received from fundraising activities which took place at the conference.

Mark Filby, Operations Manager of Security Foiling, said, “We are delighted to partner with Mercy Ships as we have strong business interests in Africa.  When we first heard about the charity’s work in Africa we felt an instant connection to the cause and really wanted to help. 

“Africa is one of our biggest export markets and this partnership is the perfect opportunity for us to give something back.  We also have a personal connection to the charity through one of our employees, Marcel Djogo from Togo, whose father’s sight was restored after receiving a cataract operation on the Africa Mercy when the ship visited the country last year.

“We are therefore thrilled to support the good work of the hundreds of selfless volunteers who provide thousands of free surgeries and medical care each year, bringing hope and healing to the patients they treat.”

Individual employees of Security Foiling have also been inspired to get involved.  Kathleen Bennett (Sales and Marketing Administrator) will run this year’s Dublin Marathon and the Great North Run in support of the charity.

Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK, said, “We are absolutely thrilled to enter into a corporate partnership with Security Foiling.  Its generosity will make a considerable difference to what we can achieve in Africa and is vital to ensuring Mercy Ships can continue to help and provide care to those less fortunate.”

Over the last 30 years, Mercy Ships has completed over 563 port visits in 53 developing nations and 17 developed nations while providing services valued at £530 million and impacting about 2.9 million people.

Mercy Ships, the international charity has treated more than 230,000 people in village medical clinics, performed more than 41,000 surgeries, 205,000 dental treatments and completed over 1,000 community development projects focusing on water and sanitation, education, infrastructure development and agriculture.

For more information on Mercy Ships please visit www.mercyships.org.uk or call 01438 727800.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Laura Maddison on 0141 220 6040 / laura@mediahouse.co.uk or Lois Boyle at Media House on 0141 220 6040 / lois@mediahouse.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
1. Photographs included - the Africa Mercy 
2. Mercy Ships is a global charity providing developing countries with free medical and surgical services. It also helps local communities develop sustainable water, sanitation and education programmes.
3.  Security Foiling specialises in design and manufacture of security hologram application equipment focused on the cutting edge of fraud prevention, offering cost-effective solutions to combat the growing threats in today’s market.  Founded in 1987 and based in the UK, it develops its expertise in hot stamping applications through Blockfoil Group. More than one thousand security hologram application machines are being used in document security projects in over sixty countries with their use spanning more 20 years. Security Foiling also offers bespoke product design service for security hologram application projects.