A CHARITY is going all out to bring Christmas to seafarers on Portland.

The festive season can be a lonely time for people visiting ports, hundreds or thousands of miles from their families.

So for many, the sight of a ship visitor from the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) coming onboard is a welcome one.

Mark Kemmis Betty, AoS ship visitor, said: “There will certainly be some ships in Portland port over Christmas.

“On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day AoS port chaplains will visit as many ships as they can and take some small gifts, including warm clothing.”

The gifts and clothing are given by local Catholic parishes.

Mr Kemmis Betty added: “Port chaplains also provide seafarers with internet top-ups so they can use the internet to contact their families back home.

“Life at sea is far from glamorous.

“As well as those seafarers we visit over Christmas, we’ll remember and say a prayer for the hundreds we’ve helped during the year.”