Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have unveiled a new joint promotional video, highlighting the two organizations’ long-standing partnership of nearly 50 years, and raising awareness of the vital work that the charity does, according to a statement.
The new promotional film – which was given its premiere during a visit by the Liverpool Branch of the RNLI to Fred. Olsen’s cruise ship, Boudicca, in Liverpool on August 28 – showcases the charitable fundraising that takes place across the Fred. Olsen fleet.
It also focuses upon the latest of the four RNLI lifeboats to be funded through the generous donations of Fred. Olsen’s guests: Spirit of Fred. Olsen, launched in Kyle of Lochalsh, in the Highlands of Scotland, in April 2012.
Fred. Olsen is the RNLI’s longest-running corporate partner, having been associated with the charity since the 1960s, and in 2010 received a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the RNLI’s President, H.R.H. the Duke of Kent, in recognition of its ongoing commitment to the charity.
Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“The long-standing association between Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and the RNLI is one of which we are immensely proud. This new film serves to show the enthusiasm of our guests and the passion of our onboard staff in their fundraising activities for the RNLI across our fleet, and we are delighted to have made such an important difference to this seafaring charity over the years.”
“A large number of our guests are members of the RNLI already, and we look forward to welcoming many more of them on board our ships in the future.”
During the course of this highly-successful partnership, Fred. Olsen’s guests have funded four inshore lifeboats, three mobile training units, three seminar rooms at The Lifeboat College in Poole in Dorset, and the development and funding of three DODO (drive-on, drive-off) lifeboat launching trolleys.
More recently, Fred. Olsen has supported the provision of crew member training, which is one of the charity’s priorities, as well as purchasing crew kit for RNLI stations around the UK, close to the regional ports from which it sails: Largs, Kyle of Lochalsh, Harwich, Gravesend, Bangor, New Brighton, Queensferry, and Tynemouth.
Catherine Kaye, Corporate Partnerships Manager at the RNLI, said:
“The vast majority of our crew are volunteers, and training and equipment doesn’t come cheap, whilst being essential to each launch and for rescuing people. We would like to thank Fred. Olsen for their ongoing support and, in particular, for the essential crew kit and training.”
