Your Cruise Your Way Cruise Blog

Cunard Line is steeped in cruise tradition unsurpassed in the world today, but along with that, they also carry a large heart for the youth of Great Britain. Cunard Line recently announced a new partnership with the UK-based youth charity, The Prince’s Trust, founded by His Royal Highness Prince Charles. The idea is to help raise vital funds in order to change the lives of disadvantaged young people throughout Britain. Cunard Line has long been tied to the Royal Family in relation to accomodating the Royal Family, and its esteemed guests, on cruises and other public functions. More than one of the Royal Family has been involved in christenings and charity events involving Cunard.

On January 30, 2008 during Queen Victoria’s maiden call to Los Angeles, a check in the amount of $60,000 was presented to The Prince’s Trust from Stars for a Cause, a Los Angeles-based charity of which Cunard Line was a sponsor. Accepting the check on behalf of The Prince’s Trust was Captain Paul Wright, Master of Queen Victoria (left) and Entertainment Director Alastair Greener (right). Presenting the check to Cunard was Stars for a Cause President, George Braunstein (center).

The Stars for a Cause campaign, presented by Entertainment Tonight, began Cunard’s fundraising for The Trust with an auction of 60 celebrity pop-art paintings, most of which were signed by the celebrities, raising $60,000. A number of these one-of-a-kind mixed media portraits were displayed at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, having been transported across the Atlantic aboard Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2. British film and television luminaries Helen Mirren and Joanna Lumley, both Prince’s Trust Ambassadors, signed their portraits - Mirren’s in Cannes and Lumley’s in London.

“We have been most impressed with the valuable work undertaken by The Prince’s Trust and the positive impact it continues to make with so many young people,” said Carol Marlow, Cunard Line president. “Our fundraising efforts started by introducing The Trust to the Stars for a Cause project. We offer our sincere gratitude to George Braunstein and Stars for a Cause for inviting us to partner in the campaign and for the opportunity to benefit The Prince’s Trust from the first annual auction,” added Marlow.

The Prince’s Trust gives young people practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills along with confidence and motivation. It works with 14 to 30 year- olds who have struggled with school, have been in social care, have been unemployed for long period of time or have been in trouble with the law.

It gives young people practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills along with confidence and motivation. It works with 14 to 30 year- olds who have struggled with school, have been in social care, have been unemployed for long period of time or have been in trouble with the law.