A CHARITY is calling on Dorset businesses to help transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world – just by switching to a new brand of office coffee.

International maritime charity Sailors’ Society, based in Southampton, launched its BySea coffee range this week.

With 100 per cent of profits supporting the charity’s work with seafarers and their families around the world, BySea says it not only provides businesses with high quality coffee, but also an excellent corporate social responsibility (CSR) opportunity.

Ethically sourced and socially responsible, the first two blends of coffee from India and Brazil were specifically chosen as the charity is expanding its work in these countries.

Sailors’ Society CEO Stuart Rivers said: “More than 90 per cent of everything we own and use comes by sea, by seafarers who are typically away from home for nine to 12 months, facing violent storms, loneliness, and isolation, and even piracy and terrorism.

“BySea, even just by the name, reminds us of the journey our coffee has made before it reaches our cup.”

He added: “Everyone needs coffee, so using BySea in their office is an easy way for Dorset businesses to get involved and demonstrate their CSR.

“They will be helping make a big difference to seafarers and their families through our work, whether that’s building classrooms for children in the Philippines or offering them the support of more than 100 chaplains and ship visitors in ports around the world, such as Mike Chittenden who counsels seafarers in Portland.”

Around 1.5 million people work as seafarers across the globe, according to the charity, many thousands of them pass through the major ports of the UK every year.

To support the charity by purchasing its new brand of coffee, visit www.bysea.org.