Celebrity Cruises donate £30,000 of gym equipment to Liverpool youth centre
OFFICERS of luxury cruise liner Celebrity Infinity are so pleased by the welcome they always get in Liverpool that they donated £30,000 of gym equipment to a local youth centre.
The 90,000 gross ton MS Celebrity Infinity is a regular visitor to Liverpool Cruise Terminal and when owner Celebrity Cruises refurbished the liner’s gym, senior officers asked if the equipment could be given to benefit people in the city.
Less than two years’ old, the high-specification exercise bikes, treadmills and stepping machines were donated to the Unity Youth and Community Centre, Dove Street, Toxteth. Liverpool Seafarers Centre also received two exercise bikes.
Capt Michael Sympouras, master of Celebrity Infinity, said: “Liverpool is one of our favourite ports as we always get such a great reception when we call here.
“We wanted the gym equipment to go to a good home and I am very pleased that Cruise Liverpool were able to help us.
“We are delighted that young people and other members of the community will be able to make good use of it.”
Julie Smith, of the Unity Centre, said: “We would like to thank the Capt Sympouras and Celebrity Cruises for making this possible and those responsible for nominating our centre.
“We really appreciate their generosity and it will certainly be put to good use.”
John Wilson, Liverpool Seafarers Centre chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to receive these two exercise bicycles donated by Celebrity Infinity’s captain and crew.
“Crew can be the forgotten workforce, slipping in and out of our ports delivering 95% of all our goods and services.
“We offer the hand of fellowship and welcome to them, so thank you again Celebrity Infinity.”
Leah Effanga, Jesse Robinson, Sammier Arnasalam and Carlton Welch checking out the fitness equipment donated by Celebrity Infinity to Toxteth youth club, Unity & Community Centre in Dove Street. Photo by James Maloney
