Charity

Cruise Line company donates £50,000 to the RNLI

Published

9 months ago

February 19, 2024

FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines has raised £50,000 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – surpassing its 2023 target by an incredible £10,000

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) longest-standing corporate partner, and for more than 60 years, has been working together with guests to fundraise towards saving lives at sea.

Since 2000, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and their guests have collected more than £1.4million which has funded five inshore lifeboats, three mobile training units, three seminar rooms at the RNLI College in Poole, the development and funding of three lifeboat-launching trolleys, crew member training and crew equipment.

Across the fleet of three smaller ships Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines raised £50,000 through a variety of fundraising events, including guests on board Borealis’ world cruise being challenged to walk, run, cycle and swim 34,849 miles – the equivalent distance of their ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ cruise.

Dr Kate Bunyan, Director of Health Services at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and RNLI Volunteer, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to be the RNLI’s longest-standing corporate partner, with a relationship that has spanned more than 60 years.

“As a volunteer Lifeboat Medical Adviser for the RNLI, I also have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible work that volunteers put in to protect lives at sea and the impact that each donation to the RNLI makes. We look forward to continuing our fundraising in the years to come.”

Jayne George, Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Media at the RNLI, said: “Our corporate partners are vital to our fundraising efforts to save lives at sea. We cherish the relationships we share with our corporate partners, and we’re incredibly proud for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to be our longest-standing corporate partner, with a relationship that has spanned more than half a century.

“The £50,000 donation from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and their guests is an incredible aid to our fundraising efforts and we can’t wait to work together in 2024 and beyond.”

The five lifeboats funded by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fundraising, include the Pride of Fred. Olsen in 2019, and the Spirit of Fred. Olsen which launched in the picturesque Scottish Highland village of Kyle of Lochalsh in April 2012.

In June, guests on board Balmoral were on deck to wave at the Spirit of Fred. Olsen when it pulled alongside the ship as it passed the Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI lifeboat station in Scotland. The lifeboat was launched after £170,000 was raised to coincide with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines commemorating its 170th birthday and celebrating 50 years of partnership with the RNLI.

The relief lifeboat, an Atlantic 85, capable of up to 35 knots, was built at the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat production facility on the Isle of Wight and the name was chosen for the lifeboat by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ guests Margaret Whittington, Peter Ruck and Joan Hutchings in a competition onboard its fleet of smaller-sized ships.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ partnership with the RNLI, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com/rnli

Charity

Kurtz goes Jurassic as Pantosaurus visits Senedd NSPCC Campaign

Published

3 days ago

November 14, 2024

Richard Lewis

THIS WEEK, the NSPCC’s annual campaign to safeguard children from sexual abuse reached the steps of the Senedd.

Pantosaurus, the friendly mascot of the NSPCC’s PANTS campaign, appeared to raise awareness among Members of the Senedd and the wider public about the vital importance of child safety. The campaign encourages parents and carers to talk openly with young children about risks and protective measures.

The PANTS campaign is built around five key child protection messages:

Privates are private.
Always remember your body belongs to you.
No means no.
Talk about secrets that upset you.
Speak up; someone can help.

After meeting Pantosaurus, Samuel Kurtz MS, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, expressed his support for the campaign

He said: “I wholeheartedly support this important NSPCC initiative. Since its launch in 2013, it has empowered over six million families to discuss this sensitive subject.

“This issue affects communities across Wales, so promoting the five principles of PANTS is essential for everyone in Pembrokeshire and beyond.”

Charity

Milford Haven RNLI celebrates heartfelt donation from Neyland Ladies Choir

Published

3 days ago

November 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN RNLI Fundraising Group received a generous donation of over £1,000 from Neyland Ladies Choir this October, marking a touching tribute to Mrs. Dorothy Beckett, one of the RNLI’s longest-standing supporters.

The Neyland Ladies Choir held a special concert at St. Mary’s Church on Waterloo Road, Hakin, to celebrate Dorothy Beckett’s 90th birthday. A lifelong supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dorothy has played a crucial role in lifeboat fundraising in the Milford Haven area, dating back to the 1970s. She was instrumental in establishing the Hakin Point RNLI fundraising group, which has raised over £500,000 to support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

The concert’s proceeds were presented in a moving ceremony at Bethesda Baptist Church in Neyland. Accepting the donation on behalf of the RNLI were Steve Lewis, Chairman of the fundraising group, and Thomas Kehoe, Deputy Coxswain of the Angle Lifeboat.

Adding to the evening’s celebrations, Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager, presented Dorothy with the Long Service Medal, recognizing her fifty years of dedication to the institution. This award, given by the RNLI, honors Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.

“Thank you, Neyland Ladies Choir and Dorothy Beckett,” said the RNLI in a heartfelt message to the community. “Your support and dedication mean the world to us.”

The Milford Haven RNLI Fundraising Group encourages supporters to share and spread the word, hoping that Dorothy’s legacy inspires continued community support.

Charity

NHS staff take on Parkrun for charity

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2024

Richard Lewis

STAFF from the Frailty Unit at Withybush Hospital took part in the Haverfordwest Parkrun and raised a fantastic £1,478 for the unit.

The staff took part in the 5k Parkrun in August at the Haverfordwest cricket club, whilst others volunteered, sold refreshments and held a raffle.

Lisa Marshall, Senior Sister, said: “I am so proud of Estelle and the team for organising a successful fundraiser and helping to raise money for our unit.

“It was a great team building day and we all had lots of fun. We are as always grateful for the support and donations we receive, and we look forward to our next fundraiser!”

Katie Hancock, Pembrokeshire Fundraising Officer, said: “We’d like to say a big thank you and well done to Estelle, Lisa and the Frailty Unit team for completing their Parkrun fundraiser.

“Thank you so much for dedicating your time to once again raising funds for your amazing unit.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more details about the NHS charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to the Hywel Dda Charities website.