P&O Cruises staff raise £25k for Macmillan healing garden

By Phil Davies 

Charity fundraising by P&O Cruises has helped support the opening of a healing garden for people affected by cancer.

Staff raised £25,000 to rebuild the garden and create a space for people visiting the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre at Southampton General Hospital.

Funds were raised by activities such as a 65-mile walk around the Isle of Wight and coffee mornings throughout 2014.

The line’s staff, crew and passengers have raised more than £964,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support over two years.

Rachel Gascoigne, partnership manager at Macmillan, said, “Cancer treatment can be an exhausting and overwhelming time. Thanks to P&O Cruises this garden has been transformed and is now a tranquil place where people can come to take time out and relax together.

“A huge thanks to everyone at P&O Cruises for making this transformation possible, and for helping Macmillan to ensure that no one has to face cancer alone”.

P&O Cruises’ marketing director, Christopher Edgington, who officially opened the garden, said: “I’m immensely proud on behalf of everyone at P&O Cruises who helped to make this healing garden a reality.

“I’m delighted that the money we raised has contributed to services right here in our local community, which is a truly fantastic legacy for everyone involved in our partnership.”