A YOUTH club leader is sailing into unchartered waters to fight for justice for seafarers.

Leaving behind the calm seas of the civil service, Howard Lawrenson, of Willis Street, is heading for Rotterdam to become a chaplain's assistant with the Missions To Seaman organisation.

Former Priestley College student Howard, aged 22, has free board and lodgings for his stay in the Dutch heartland.

He will be expected to work alongside the Rev Michael Sparrow, visiting ships and facing the prospect of resolving justice and welfare wrangles.

He hopes his time at the Benefits Agency, dealing with all kinds of customer queries, will be good preparation for his 12 month voluntary stint.

Said Howard: "Most of them will not have been in contact with their families for between six and 12 months.

"But the biggest thing is seafarers who have not been paid by their agency. It will be my job to see why that is."

Other responsibilities will include running the Mission's club and providing transport for sailors.

Howard is a member of St Elphin's Parish Church, where he sits on the church council as well as being secretary of the area's community centre and a youth club organiser.

Previously he has worked overseas at churches in Zimbabwe.

Curate the Rev Mark Chilcott first introduced Howard to the work of the Missions organisation, which has branches worldwide.

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