Jayne George, Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Media at the RNLI, Georgina May, Public Relations Executive at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Steve Hulbert, Senior Commercial Partnerships Manager at the RNLI

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines donates £50,000 to the RNLI

In a remarkable display of generosity and commitment to maritime safety, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has proudly announced a donation of £50,000 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), surpassing its 2023 fundraising target by an impressive £10,000.

As the RNLI’s longest-standing corporate partner, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has forged a partnership spanning over 60 years, dedicated to the noble cause of saving lives at sea. Since 2000, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and its guests have rallied together to raise over £1.4 million, funding essential resources such as inshore lifeboats, training units, seminar rooms, lifeboat-launching equipment, crew training, and equipment.

The recent donation of £50,000 was achieved through a series of fundraising events across Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fleet, comprising the Bolette, Borealis, and Balmoral. Notably, guests aboard Borealis’ world cruise were challenged to collectively cover 34,849 miles – the equivalent distance of their ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ voyage – through walking, running, cycling, and swimming.

Dr Kate Bunyan, Director of Health Services at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and an RNLI Volunteer, expressed immense pride in the enduring partnership, highlighting the invaluable impact of the RNLI’s work in safeguarding lives at sea. Dr Bunyan, a volunteer Lifeboat Medical Adviser for the RNLI, commended the dedication of volunteers and reiterated the company’s commitment to ongoing fundraising efforts.

Jayne George, Director of Fundraising, Marketing, and Media at the RNLI, extended gratitude to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for their unwavering support, emphasising the pivotal role of corporate partners in the RNLI’s mission. She underscored the significance of the £50,000 donation in bolstering the RNLI’s lifesaving initiatives and expressed eagerness for continued collaboration in the years ahead.

The donation contributes to a legacy of support from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, which has funded five lifeboats to date, including the Pride of Fred. Olsen in 2019 and the Spirit of Fred. Olsen, launched in Kyle of Lochalsh in April 2012. The Spirit of Fred. Olsen, launched in celebration of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 170th birthday and 50 years of partnership with the RNLI, symbolises the enduring bond between the two organisations.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ partnership with the RNLI and to learn more about their shared commitment to maritime safety, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com/rnli.

Join Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and the RNLI in their mission to save lives at sea, ensuring the safety and security of seafarers around the world.