Celebrity chefs Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar and TV wine expert Olly Smith are helping P&O Cruises raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. P&O has formed a year-long fundraising partnership with the charity across its seven ships, playing host to a number of exciting activities and challenge events.
A gala ball will be held with an auction “for things money can’t buy” including dinner and private masterclasses with Marco and Atul – who have restaurants on board P&O ships – and personal wine tasting tuition from Olly. There will also be unique keepsakes such as polished engine parts and signed navigation charts. In addition to selling Macmillan pins and badges on board, there will be weekly coffee and cupcake mornings on each ship.
Officers and crew will be taking part in fundraising fitness challenges, including running and rowing the equivalent number of nautical miles covered by the ships across the oceans.
P&O Cruises MD Carol Marlow, seen front right above launching the partnership in Southampton, said: “Macmillan is an incredible charity which offers emotional, medical, practical and financial support to those affected by cancer. P&O Cruises is determined to help raise as much money as possible in 2013 to help them to do this. Passengers will be able to join in with a range of fundraising activities and I am sure they will support our efforts for this immensely worthy cause and enjoy themselves at the same time.”
Lynda Thomas, Director of Fundraising at Macmillan Cancer Support adds: ‘‘It is Macmillan’s aim to reach and improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. But we cannot do this on our own and we believe everyone can help. This is why we are delighted to be working with P&O Cruises to raise valuable funds and awareness of our work helping to ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.’’
