Founders Awarded
The founders of Mercy Ships were honoured with a humanitarian award at a glittering ceremony in London last night (5th May)
The annual Variety Club International Humanitarian Award, whose previous winners include Sir Winston Churchill and Audrey Hepburn, was given to Don and Deyon Stephens who founded Mercy Ships in 1978.
It was in that year the couple had a dream to find a ship, equip it as a hospital, fill it with volunteer crew and sail round the world providing life saving medical care to the poorest of the poor.
30 years on, Mercy Ships has visited 70 countries providing medical care and humanitarian services valued at more than £450 million, directly transforming the lives of over two million people. .
Speaking about receiving the Humanitarian Award, Don Stephens said, “In challenging economic times which affect us all, the world’s poorest suffer even more. 20% of newborn babies will not live to the fifth birthday, largely due to preventable disease. The average lifespan of women where our ships serve is 46 years. 3,000,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from obstetric fistula in nations whose GDP translates to families living on less than a dollar per day.
“Medical care, both primary and surgical, are scarce commodities and when they do exist are often far beyond the financial reach of the poor. Mercy Ships offers hope and healing to the world’s poorest. On behalf of the world’s poor and our dedicated professional volunteers, it is an honour to be considered for this award.”
Previous winners of the Humanitarian Award include Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Alexander Fleming and Dr Albert Schweitzer, with last night’s award presented to the Stephens by TRH Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
Deyon Stephens added, “Living on board the first mercy ship with our four children for ten years was an experience rich in significance, adventure, adversity and satisfaction. Mercy Ships has now seen 30 years come and go. Millions of the world’s most needy have now felt the compassionate and healing hands of those serving onboard.”
Mercy Ships’ current ship, the Africa Mercy, spent seven years in Newcastle being converted from a rail ferry into the world’s largest charity hospital ship, and is now serving the people of Benin.
Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK, said: “30 years ago, Don and Deyon had a dream to help the poorest people in the world – and they went out and did it. They have helped literally thousands of people and Mercy Ships UK is rightly proud to be part of their international vision.”