Cathay Pacific and Dragonair support UNICEF relief efforts in Qinghai
2010-04-22
22 April 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CATHAY PACIFIC AND DRAGONAIR SUPPORT UNICEF RELIEF EFFORTS IN QINGHAI
Cathay Pacific Group today announced the launch of a number of fundraising initiatives to motivate its passengers and staff to support the relief efforts in China, following the 7.1-magnitude earthquake which hit Qinghai province in western China on 14 April.
The Group said that Cathay Pacific and Dragonair will join hands to help raise funds for earthquake relief through the UNICEF “Change for Good” inflight fundraising programme from 23 April to 7 May.
Every dollar collected in the programme on both airlines’ flights during the above period will be used to assist UNICEF relief efforts in the earthquake-affected areas, which are concentrating on helping the children who are often the most vulnerable victims of a natural disaster.
A fund has also been set up by the Cathay Pacific Group to collect donations from local and overseas employees of both Cathay Pacific and Dragonair. Every dollar raised up by staff donations during the period from 23 April to 7 May will be matched by the Group to further swell the relief fund. All contributions will also be donated to UNICEF for their relief efforts in Qinghai.
Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler appealed to the public for their support.
“With regard to our fundraising initiatives, I sincerely hope our passengers and staff will be able to contribute to the relief work being undertaken by UNICEF, our long-term partner, to help those affected by the earthquake. I am confident that the money raised will be put to very good use,” he said.
Dragonair Chief Executive Officer James Tong said: “There are strong ties between Dragonair and Mainland China and the tragedy in Qinghai has touched us all.
“In previous fundraising campaigns, passengers and staff across the network have been incredibly generous, and I am confident that there will be equally strong support for the appeal to help the people affected by the earthquake in Qinghai,” he added.
Chief Executive of Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF Irene Chan, said: "We are happy to see the action taken by Cathay Pacific and Dragonair to help the affected people in Qinghai. We hope to appeal for more donations from the public to help the people who are still suffering as a result of the earthquake.”
UNICEF believes that in natural disasters, children are often the most vulnerable. The donations made by passenger and staff will be used to help the children affected by the earthquake to resume a normal life as quickly as possible.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Cathay Pacific Elsa Leung, Corp Comm Mgr, Public Relations, 2747-8282 Chloris Leung, Asst Corp Comm Mgr, Community Relations, 2747-5219 Website: www.cathaypacific.com
Dragonair Judy Kwan, Corp Comm Mgr, Public Relations, 3193-2873 Website: www.dragonair.com