Southampton Mariner Takes Family Volunteering on Medical Ship

Friday, 6 June 2025 15:06

A year on Global Mercy with the family in Sierra Leone

In this interview Xan Phillips speaks to Ian Lawrence, a marine pilot from Southampton, along with his family, volunteered for a year with the International Healthcare Charity, Mercy Ships.

They joined the Global Mercy ship in Tenerife and sailed to Sierra Leone, where the ship serves as a floating hospital providing essential surgeries to locals.

The family experienced a significant lifestyle change, with Ian managing the ship's technical operations and his children attending an onboard accredited school.

The mission highlights the challenges and rewards of volunteering, particularly in providing much-needed healthcare to underprivileged regions in Africa.

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