TO commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day and to raise money for charity, Dorset Cruises is running a special wartime event aboard their 1938 vintage motor yacht, Dorset Queen.

The Royal Navy requisitioned Dorset Queen in 1940 for war duties, and she is believed to have been one of the volunteer boats which sailed to Dunkirk helping to rescue more than 336,000 British and French soldiers.

On Tuesday, June 11, Dorset Queen will set sail on a shorter trip around Poole Harbour where guests will take in the stunning views of Poole’s five islands and Old Harry Rocks and raise crucial funds for the Help 4 Homeless Veterans charity.

For every ticket sold, £5 will go towards Help 4 Homeless Veterans, a charity which supports former members of HM Forces facing homelessness. There will also be an auction during the cruise, to raise additional funds for the veterans in need.

Speaking of the new event, Dorset Cruises’ owner Jon Morgan said: “We are thrilled to add our D-Day cruise to our summer schedule. D-Day was an incredibly poignant event which has shaped our country today, and what better way to celebrate its 75th anniversary than by setting sail on a memorial cruise and raising funds for such an important charity?”

Guests will also enjoy the vocals of harmony trio, The Fifinellas, who will be singing classic wartime favourites throughout the cruise, this time swapping the White Cliffs of Dover for Dorset.

To further immerse guests in the experience, those onboard the Dorset Queen will be encouraged to dress in their finest 1940s attire, whether that be a soldier, land girl or more appropriately, a sailor.

The D-Day cruise will be priced at £25 per person, with £5 from each sale going towards Help 4 Homeless Veterans. To book your place on the cruise, call 01202 844199. Tickets are limited to 40 people and guests are encouraged to book soon to avoid disappointment.