GIANT DONATION ADDS FOURTH SHIP TO MERCY SHIPS FLEET

A FOURTH SHIP has been added to a unique medical missionary fleet which twins evangelism with practical care in the developing world - thanks to a remarkable gift.

The Dronning Ingrid, a 16,000-ton Danish ferry, joined the Mercy Ships "navy" late last month through a $6 million purchase made possible by a donation believed to be one of the largest single gifts ever given to a Christian charity in the country.

Following extensive conversions - including the fitting of operating rooms and a four-ward hospital - the ship will take free medical care, community development help and relief aid to developing countries in Africa. She will be manned by an international crew of around 400, including doctors, dentists and nurses, as well as engineers and seamen.

Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships - the maritime division of Youth With A Mission - annually delivers relief aid worth more than $5 million. Teams have completed projects in more than 70 port districts around the world.

Founder and Mercy Ships chief executive officer Don Stephens said that the donation was "a truly humanitarian gesture. In a time when the gap between the developed nations and the developing nations is so strongly contrasted, it is refreshing to witness a major grant to purchase an additional ship for service in Africa.

"Many thousands of blind, disfigured and otherwise handicapped people will receive quality, compassionate medical care through this new hospital ship."

Registered in the neutral country of Malta and temporarily renamed the Ingrid - a permanent new name will be selected later - the ship was due to sail to England early this month. Conversion work is likely to be undertaken at a Tyneside shipyard, in the north east.

"We have five years to complete the refit as a hospital ship," said Stephens. "If through God's grace we can do it in less it will be wonderful, even miraculous. But now is the perfect time for anyone considering joining Mercy Ships, to serve either with one of our existing ships or our new projects."

The donation was announced on a boat on the River Thames, London by Mrs. Norma Major, who is patron of Mercy Ships UK along with her husband, former British Prime Minister Sir John Major. The money was given to Mercy Ships UK by Mrs. Ann Gloag, executive director of Stagecoach Holdings plc, through her Balcraig Foundation.

Around 700 staff - many British among them - currently serve full-time with Mercy Ships either at sea or one of more than a dozen land offices around the world. A number of British crew serve on board the group's 11,700-ton flagship, the Anastasis, a frequent goodwill visitor to Great Britain over the past few years.

Mercy Ships UK executive director Allan Guinan said: "There is an ever-present and growing need for the provision of ship-based relief aid and hospital treatment in many parts of the world. In recent years this has stretched our existing fleet of three ships. This new vessel, once fully commissioned, will provide a vital new capability."

Built in 1980 as a train and car ferry, the Ingrid was bought from Scandlines of Denmark.

(Photo available on request)

Mercy Ships Australia: tel (61) 249 296 544; fax (61) 249 295 406; e-mail msaust@mercyships.org. Mercy Ships Canada: tel and fax (250) 381 2170; e-mail msca@mercyships.org. Mercy Ships Denmark: tel (45) 661 52655; fax (45) 661 53385; e-mail msdk@mercyships.org. Mercy Ships France: tel (33) 42 02 09 57; fax (33) 42 06 79 21. Mercy Ships Germany: tel (49) 8341 98217; fax (49) 8341 98206; e-mail msde@mercyships.org. Mercy Ships Holland: tel (31) 10 410 2877; fax (31) 10 410 1380; e-mail msnl@mercyships.org. Mercy Ships Korea: tel (02) 3402 29213; fax (02) 3402 2924; e-mail 100055.406@compuserve.com. Mercy Ships Norway: tel (47) 380 229 93; fax (47) 380 226 32; e-mail: msnorge@mercyships.org. Mercy Ships Pacific: tel (64) 75 710407; fax (64) 75 710411; e-mail msnz@mercyships.org. Mercy Ships Philippines: tel and fax (63) 2 646 7632; e-mail mercyshp@skyinet.net. Mercy Ships South Africa: tel (27) 21 788 6232; fax (27) 21 788 6233; e-mail msza@mercyships.org. Mercy Ships Sweden: tel (46) 584 12200; fax: (46) 584 12211; e-mail msse@mercyships.org. Mercy Ships Switzerland: tel (41) 21 654321; fax (41) 21 6543220; e-mail recepsw@mercyships.org. Mercy Ships UK: tel (44) 1582 463303; fax (44) 1582 463230; e-mail info@mercyships.org.uk. Mercy Ships USA: tel (1) 903 882 0887; fax (1) 903 882 0344; e-mail priceg@mercyships.org

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