Guests, staff and crew aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines classic ship Boudicca and at its head office, Fred. Olsen House in Ipswich, have raised ?5,000 to help fund relief efforts in Kangaroo Island following on from devastating bushfires across much of the country.
The 880-guest Boudicca is currently part-way through the 168-night Grand Voyage, and in recent weeks has called into Australia on a number of occasions, including to Kangaroo Island just days before the devastating fires struck.
Guests and crew united in a joint mission to raise funds to support the relief effort and organised a fundraising event on deck with a number of stalls and games, including a ring toss, a 'name the koala' competition and a live performance by the Boudicca Orchestra. In addition, a silent auction was held offering guests the chance to bid for a navigational chart of Australia, signed by the Senior Bridge Officers, with the whole event raising more than ?3,500.
The fundraising efforts continued at the company's head office where employees from Fred. Olsen Ltd and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines held a dress down day, bake sale and a raffle, taking the total raised to ?5,000.
Peter Deer, managing director of the cruise line, said: ?It has not been possible to watch the news in recent weeks without seeing the devastating fires that have torn across Australia, and most recently Kangaroo Island. This country has formed an integral part of Boudicca's Grand Voyage, and was a highlight to so many of our guests.
?To see the impact that these fires have had is truly heart-breaking, with so many communities and species of wildlife now facing very uncertain times.
?The Suffolk community came together in true force to donate raffle prizes, make donations and pledge their support, for which we are extremely grateful.
?We hope that these funds raised on board Boudicca and here at our office in Ipswich will go some way to showing our support to this fantastic country at a time when they need it most.?
The funds will now be split equally between the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, which has taken in hundreds of injured koalas and native wildlife while their habitat is destroyed by fire, and the South Australian Bushfire Appeal, which is supporting communities directly affected by the fires in Southern Australia and Kangaroo Island.
