Guests, staff and crew aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’  Boudicca and at the company’s head office in Ipswich, have raised £5,000 to help fund relief efforts in Kangaroo Island following on from devastating bush fires across much of the country, the UK based destinational cruise line said in a statement.

 The 880 passenger capacity 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 over £3,500.

The fundraising efforts continued at the company’s head office yesterday (9 January) 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 at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, 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."