Sharing our passion, and giving back to the world
One of the key things that helps to drive our teams forward is our passion to help and serve the communities local to us. We pride ourselves on open communication, breaking down barriers in both community and industry, treating everyone with the same values of quality of service and respect.
We feel it is vital to put back into the communities where we operate, this takes many forms from larger formal organisations such as The Princes Trust, through to low key direct action such as shipping clothing to children in Grenada, a life boat to Tortola, play equipment to Bequia, and much needed aid in the aftermath of disasters.
Thanks to everyone who has donated aid for Hurricane Irma victims
We'd like to take this moment to thank everyone who has contributed to Hurricane Irma aid relief. We will be listing all of the donors below to show our gratitude.
We have also been working with the British Red Cross who are accepting monetary donations. Click here to contribute.
The work isn’t finished, and we are still accepting water, food items, medical supplies, baby products and sanitary equipment. Please get in touch with us if you can help!
Rebecca Thorne - 07889 362 444 - rthorne@kestrel.com
Pat Holoran
Pat, owner of Caipirinha in Old Road, Antigua, and his family have purchased various items of aid to be shipped. They will also be purchasing roofing equipment.
Leanne & John Cahill and Lynsey King
As well as donating a parcel, Leanne kindly quoted, "The reason for our donation is because Antigua and Barbuda is a special place for us, John and I married there and we have been lucky enough to visit regularly since. It was heart breaking to see such devastation in Barbuda.
The Antiguans have always welcomed us with open arms, and we wanted to try and help from afar. We were due to fly out on Saturday to visit but sadly can’t as the hotel has suffered damaged. So we are sending this parcel instead of taking the items with us. We are instead returning in May 2018."
Forest Freight
Forest Freight provides transport and warehousing solutions. They have been incredibly supportive and have quoted the below:
"Forest Freight are delighted to assist with the ‘Freight Aid’ relief effort that is being headed up by Kestrel Liner Agencies. We would urge anyone that is able to offer any kind of assistance to get involved with ‘Freight Aid’ to contact Connie Britton on the details below. Items that are desperately required are water, food items, medical supplies, baby products and sanitary equipment. Many thanks for your kindness in advance.
http://www.forestfreight.co.uk/
Walthamstow Parents - Anne Marie Luff, Annette Henry and Sharon Geoghegan
The Walthamstow Parents have kindly donated as a community.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/walthamstowparents/
Unisystems Freight (UK) Ltd
Unisystems Freight (UK) Ltd have kindly donated medical supplies such as plasters and antibacterial handgel.
"We donate these goods in recognition of the devastation caused to the people, communities and land
throughout the path of Hurricane Irma. This is a time when we all must come together and help
the people affected rebuild their lives.
Love and Light
R Collins"
http://www.unisystems-freight.co.uk/
Allington Hughes Law
Allington Hughes Limited is a leading firm in North Wales and Cheshire providing local and national specialist advice on a range of legal issues. They've kindly donated packages for aid containing nappies, wet wipes, soap, towels, sanitary towels and sleeping bags.
http://www.allingtonhughes.co.uk/
Maureen Ridley
Maureen has kindly donated clothing, toiletries and children's toys for the victims of Hurricane Irma.
Elizabeth Wood – Three Pears
Three Pears is an international wholesaler of toiletries, household goods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Elizabeth, the sales manager, has kindly donated a pallet of Anadin tablets, lip balms and health supplies.
She said “I have been going to Antigua on holiday for 32 years, winning two awards for being the longest consecutive tourist. I absolutely love the people and I was devastated to hear how the destruction has impacted on them.”
De La Rue
De La Rue provides governments and commercial organisations with products and services that enable countries to trade, companies to sell, economies to grow and people to move securely around an ever-more connected world. They have kindly donated emergency supplies.
Portobello and Notting Hill Communites
These communities have kindly donated 300 boxes for the Barbuda crisis.
Hurricane Update
The events surrounding Hurricane Irma have presented catastrophic circumstances for many of the islands served by Kestrel.
The following islands have received catastrophic damage:
Anguilla
Barbuda
Grand Turk
Providenciales
St Barths
St Maarten
St. Thomas
St. John
Tortola
Virgin Gorda
Ports are not functional. Cargo currently in transit will be discharged at the gateway ports of Caucedo or Miami. Cargo Merchants will be notified of a Force Majeure and will be instructed to advise whether they will want to divert the cargo or have it returned to origin.
Kestrel, as announced, are heavily involved in relief efforts.
Update from Miami
Despite receiving hurricane force gusts, Miami and south Florida were spared the worst. There are about 600,000 households without power.
Miami office DOES have electricity and is open for business.
South Florida ports remain closed today and possibly tomorrow as assessments are made.
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust, founded in 1976, is one of the United Kingdom's most successful funding organisations. We at Kestrel never fail to be inspired by their ongoing efforts to uplift the younger generations.
In January 2017, we partnered with the Prince's Trust International, a new International arm launched in 2015, to deliver their 'Get into Logistics' programme. The 'Get into' is an employability scheme in Barbados with the aim of helping disadvantaged young people on the island gain vital sector-specific skills. Our first wave of students on the 'Get into Logistics' programme all graduated with flying colours.
Mark Davidian from Kestrel had the pleasure of giving the participants of 'Get into Logistics' their graduation certificates. He heard first-hand the benefits of the programme to the young people involved.
I was very honoured to attend the Prince's Trust International Event and to meet this first wave of students – an inspiring group of enthusiastic, energetic young people looking to find a start and hopefully building a career in logistics. As the future of their industry they need to be given a chance. The benefits from this programme are already being realised in Barbados and we look forward to seeing the programme expand across the Caribbean region.
Mark Davidian
One of the biggest success stories of the 'Get into Logistics' programme was our trainee Orian. We were so impressed with her commitment and enthusiasm, we offered her a job in our offices in Barbados. We're pleased to report that she accepted, saying:
Six weeks ago I knew nothing about shipping! In five weeks I have learnt so much. I am looking forward to finding out so much more about the shipping and logistics industry. I am particularly looking forward to seeing a product on the shelves in Barbados knowing that I played a part in importing it.
We have also had the pleasure of working with the Prince's Trust International to sponsor their very successful 'Get into Hospitality' programme. This is an intensive 12-week programme which supports 15 young people who are not yet ready to enter employment and works with them to develop not only their confidence but also other key skills they will require through a residential week, community project and work placements. This programme also boasts a high degree of success with helping young people to find opportunities within the hospitality industry.
Here at Kestrel, we owe our success to the many different communities around the globe, so we are proud to support those who support us. We remain aware of the many different issues that these communities face, and are eager to help them however we can as it is part of the Mission Statement that Kestrel is built upon.