Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is helping an east Suffolk scout group raise funds for a new scout hut by donating a seven-night cruise prize.

Proceeds from the prize draw will go towards a £400,000 target to extend the 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts’ current hut in Tide Mill Way to create more space and better facilities to meet the increasing demand in the area.

The 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts’ history spans more than 50 years and offers opportunities and life skills to young people, allowing them to become engaged in a wide range of water activities including kayaking, canoeing, sailing, power boating and paddle boarding among others.

Over the last two years, the group has witnessed a surge in its membership, with the group’s size doubling and the waiting list exceeding more than 230 budding Sea Scouts.

Funds raised for the additional space and improved changing facilities will enable the organisation to accommodate more young people, extending the reach of its impactful programmes and providing more opportunities for local children.

Barrie Hayter, Group Scout Leader at 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts, said:

“We are beyond grateful to the team at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for providing us with such an incredible prize and showing their commitment to the local community. Their support will get us one step closer to providing more young people with the opportunity to develop valuable life skills. Our fundraising target for our new HQ is ambitious to say the least, but with such a fantastic prize we hope this draw will get us a lot closer to achieving our goal.”

Thomas Rennesland, Hotel Operations Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“We are delighted to support the 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts in their mission to provide young people with valuable life skills and experiences. Our donation of a cruise is a small token of our appreciation for the wonderful work they do in the community. We hope this contribution will help them achieve their goal of extending their scout hut.”

The seven-night cruise to Germany and the Lowlands, on board Bolette, departs in March 2024 and the winners will have the chance to enjoy explore the historic waterways and vibrant cities of Germany and the Netherlands.

The prize draw will take place at 5th Woodbridge Sea Scout’s quiz night on Saturday, 18th November. Members of the community, businesses and supporters of scouting are encouraged to participate and contribute to the hut extension project. Tickets to the prize draw, which cost £10, can be purchased at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/5wss-cru…. The prize draw closes at 12pm on Friday, 17th November.

Prize Details: A cruise for up to two adults and two children aboard Bolette’s seven-night T2405 ‘Easter Escape to Germany & the Lowlands’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 28th March 2024.
Itinerary: Southampton, England – Hamburg, Germany – Cruising River Elbe, Germany – Cruising by Heligoland, Germany – Cruising North Sea Canal, Netherlands – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Belgium – Southampton, England
For more details: Visit Bolette’s seven-night T2405 ‘Easter Escape to Germany & the Lowlands’ cruise