Skip to main content

Stars align for British Airways charity fundraiser


A roll-call of stars including Michelle Keegan, Gary Lineker and Rob Brydon attended the British Airways ‘Flying Start’ Gala ball this evening (Friday, April 27), to support fundraising for the airline’s charity partnership with Comic Relief. 

Held at The Grove in Hertfordshire, a golf day was followed by a gala dinner, an auction and performances by comedians Rob Brydon and Rob Beckett, with the day raising an amazing £225,000 for Flying Start. Singer Alexander O’Neal said “It was a pleasure to perform at this very special event and help support such a worthy charity. “

The event, in its 14th year, and hosted by Gabby Logan, has helped Flying Start make its way towards the goal of raising £20million by 2020. British Airways launched Flying Start with Comic Relief in 2010 to raise money to help children living incredibly tough lives in the UK and around the world.

Carolina Martinoli, British Airways Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said “We’ve raised over £18 million for Comic Relief over the past eight years, which is down to the kindness and generosity of our customers and colleagues It’s events like this today that help celebrate the achievement and help us to continue to achieve so much.”
Gary Lineker poses with British Airways ambassadors during the British Airways 'Flying Start' Gala Ball

The £18 million that British Airways has raised since it started in 2010 has helped Comic Relief fund projects in the UK and around the world. Just a few of the organisations funded by Comic Relief grants include:

·         Body and Soul – A UK organisation providing innovative services for vulnerable young people who are affected by HIV

·         Boxgirls (Laureus Sport for Good Foundation) – A Kenyan organisation offering girls the opportunity to participate in boxing, learn about their rights and develop skills in money management, entrepreneurship and leadership.

·         Butterflies (Childhope) – An Indian organisation working with vulnerable street and working children. They deliver programmes that include healthcare, information education and support for young people in vocational training and enterprise.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Visa Returns Zlatan Ibrahimović to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™

Visa, the Official Payment Services Partner of FIFA, today announced that professional footballer and face of Visa’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ global marketing campaign , Zlatan Ibrahimović, will return to the tournament with Visa and join football fans in Russia this summer. “I have been telling the world that I will be at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia ™ – Visa is now helping me and fans around the world get in on the action ,” said Zlatan Ibrahimović, star athlete and FIFA World Cup ™ legend. “Visa is innovative. Zlatan is innovative. Together, we are helping fans not miss a moment of the FIFA World Cup ™ .” Whether traveling to the tournament or watching from home, Visa’s fast and easy payments will help fans catch every moment of the FIFA World Cup™. In Russia, fans will spend less time in line and more time focused on the pitch, by utilizing the 7,000 point-of-sale terminals and 800 mobile concessionaires that have been equipped with the latest in payment innovatio...

Visa Renews Olympic Partnership Through 2032

Visa , a long-standing worldwide sponsor of the Olympic Games and supporter of the Olympic Movement, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced an extension to Visa’s Olympic sponsorship through 2032.  As part of the renewal, Visa will continue its support of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Paralympic Games.    “Since 1986, Visa has brought the latest payment innovations and digital experiences to the Olympic Games, all while helping athletes in their quest to achieve greatness,” said Al Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, Visa Inc. “By continuing our support of the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games through 2032, we will ensure the next generation of athletes, fans, cardholders and clients are able to get more out of their Olympic experience and be part of a movement that inspires and unites us all to do great things.” IOC President Thomas Bach said: “We are particularly happy with this extension of our partn...