- British Airways has raised a staggering £898,000 for Red Nose Day 2022 bringing their total funds for Flying Start to over £26 million since 2010
- Cabin crew colleagues participated in various fundraising events, including a ‘trolley dash’ challenge across the capital
- Money raised by Red Nose Day will support vital life changing work in the UK and around the world, donations will also help fund organisations providing essential support for people in Ukraine affected by the conflict, including donating to the Disaster Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal
- The airline is already flying aid and medics to Ukraine and also redirecting onboard donations towards the DEC’s Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal
Friday 18 March: British Airways has raised over £898,000 for Red Nose Day this year, bringing their total funds to over £26 million for Flying Start, through its global charity partnership with Comic Relief that first began in 2010.
This is thanks to the generosity of its customers who have donated on board and from continued fundraising efforts from the airline’s colleagues.
One of the airline’s fundraising activities to mark Red Nose Day included a ‘trolley dash’ challenge. British Airways cabin crew set off racing across London, pushing aircraft trolleys around a route taking in famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the Royal Albert Hall and the Houses of Parliament, raising thousands of pounds through online sponsors and donations from generous spectators.
This year, in addition to the charities that Comic Relief regularly supports, Red Nose Day donations will also help to fund organisations providing essential support for people in Ukraine affected by the conflict and the mass displacement of people to many parts of the world. This includes making a donation to the Disaster Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal that will support refugees fleeing Ukraine, where at least 3 million people have fled their homes to escape the conflict.
These funds will support DEC charities and their local partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to provide food, water, shelter and medical assistance. British Airways is also flying aid and medics to the region, as well as redirecting its onboard donations to go towards the DEC’s Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal for the next few weeks.
Carrie Harris, British Airways’ Head of Sustainability, said: “This is our twelfth year partnering with Comic Relief through Flying Start and we’re incredibly proud of the support from our colleagues and customers.
“Right now, like everyone else, our thoughts and focus surrounds helping communities impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. We are proud to have the support of our charity partners, including Comic Relief and the DEC, to help us contribute and we hope these funds can go some way in making a meaningful difference to those in need.”
Customers can donate to Flying Start by visiting http://www.ba-flyingstart.com/
To date, we have supported more than 925,000 people in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK and around the world.
NOTES TO EDITORS
- British Airways also supported with fundraising efforts by encouraging donations from spectators for the DEC Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal at the England vs. Ireland Six Nations rugby game at Twickenham last weekend, thanks to the help of its colleagues.
About Flying Start
- Flying Start is the global charity partnership between British Airways and Comic Relief.
- British Airways wants to help young people in the UK and around the world to have the best possible start in life and the chance to have a brighter future.
- More information can be found at http://www.ba-flyingstart.com/
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief raises money to support people living incredibly tough lives in the UK and around the world. Through humour and stories of hope, we have shown that people can make a massive difference.
Comic Relief believes that those who are closest to the issues have the best solutions, and so works with organisations and people with direct experience of these challenges. We fund hundreds of amazing organisations who support the most vulnerable people and communities in society. This includes vulnerable children and young people, people who are homeless or who have been forced to flee their homes, women and families at risk of domestic abuse and those struggling with mental health problems.
For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please visit www.comicrelief.com
Comic Relief, which is the operating name of Charity Projects, is a registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)
About Red Nose Day 2022
Red Nose Day is back on Friday 18th March 2022 and hopes to inspire people across the UK to make a difference, no matter how big or small. This Red Nose Day, we want to remind people that they have the power to change lives.
Money raised by Red Nose Day will help people in the UK and around the world live free from poverty, violence and discrimination, and support people with their mental health. This includes funding organisations that are supporting people right now in Ukraine, and those attempting to cross the border.
Visit https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday/ or follow @ComicRelief on social media for the latest Red Nose Day content, news and information.
Red Nose Day is an annual fundraising campaign run by Comic Relief.
