Carnival president to skydive for hurricane relief fund

Duffy is aiming to raise $50,000 during the event, which is a celebration of the first-ever Special Forces Legacy Initiatives (SFLI) cruise, taking place on Carnival Paradise and departing from Tampa Bay on October 19.

Duffy will jump from the ‘Tico Belle’, a World War II veteran C-47 aircraft flown during the Normandy D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.

The skydive is in collaboration with the Round Canopy Parachute Team, a non-profit organisation that honours the history of Allied Airborne Forces, as well as members of the USSOCOM Para-Commandos, the U.S. Special Operations Command's aerial parachute demonstration team.

Christine Duffy said: “I’ve never jumped from an airplane before, so I think this effort is worth at least $50,000 for the Gary Sinise Foundation and their efforts to support military and first responders assisting with hurricane relief. Saying that Carnival is America’s Cruise Line and the favourite cruise line for active-duty military and military veterans is one thing, showing it is another story, and I’m always ready to jump at the chance to prove it.”

The Gary Sinise Foundation was established in 2011 by award-winning actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise. The foundation is currently supporting communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, which has performed more than 40 worldwide, will perform on Carnival Paradise on embarkation day.